Deanna is Kay, Donn is Chad....

Chapter Nine
 

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Sheridan Crane felted dazed as she finally made it back to her cottage. Pilar had been watching her son, and the baby was peacefully sleeping in her bedroom. She looked over at the little boy she had named Bryant Lopez-Fitzgerald and she smiled. “Tonight you get your daddy.” She wondered. “Tonight we’ll be a family.”

She heard Pilar in the living room and she tensed up. She wanted to ask the other woman about Miguel, in her heart she needed to know if she truly had another brother.

“Your son is an amazing sleeper.” Pilar spoke. “Must be the Crane in him.” Pilar chuckled, “Because my children never slept.”

“None of them?” Sheridan questioned.

“Well actually Miguel was very good at sleeping through the night. I never really had a problem with him.” She smiled. “But the others never slept.”

“Oh I see.” Sheridan spoke trying to hide the shock in her voice. Her hands were almost shaking as she looked at the older woman. This was the woman that had been there for her for years. A mother figure to her when she felt she had no one, and now she knew a secret that changed everything.

“Sheridan are you feeling ok?” Pilar questioned her voice worried. “You look very pale.”

Sheridan stared at Pilar unable to speak. No, she wasn't ok how could she be? He husband had been working with her father since they had met. He had been using her and making money off her feelings. If that wasn’t bad enough she had just found out that Miguel Lopez-Fitzgerald was her brother. She shared a brother with the man she loved. “I’m just tired.” She lied.

Pilar was about to speak when the front door opened and Antonio appeared in front of them. “Well I see my two favorite women are here together.” Antonio smiled.

Sheridan tried to hide the disgust in her eyes as she looked up at Pilar. “Pilar could you take Bryant to your place for a little while? I have some things I need to discuss with Antonio.” Sheridan spoke.

“Of course I can.” Pilar smiled. “I love spending time with my grandchildren.”

“I’ll be by to pick him up shortly.” Sheridan spoke. “Do you need his car seat?”

“No, I have one in the car I keep for Jamie.” Pilar smiled and picked Bryant up. Sheridan watched as she gathered his things together.

“I won’t be long Pilar.” Sheridan promised as she kissed her son on the forehead.

When Pilar shut the door behind her Sheridan turned to Antonio. “How long did you plan on playing with me?” She questioned her hands falling to her hips.

“What? Sheridan baby what are you talking about?” Antonio asked his voice sugary sweet.

“I am not your baby and neither is my son, but you knew that already didn’t you?” Sheridan yelled. Antonio’s face went pale as she took a step closer to him. “Didn’t you!”

“Sheridan, you’re confusing me.” Antonio spoke.

“Shut up!” She yelled. “Just shut up Antonio! I know okay? I know what you did! I know everything. My father has been paying you to keep me from Luis! He gave you a million dollars the day you married me.”

“Sheridan, that’s not true.” Antonio tried.

“Liar!” Sheridan growled. “I saw the records Antonio, I know that you have been working with father all along. You knew who I was on that island but father made sure you kept me away from here.”

Antonio dropped his head. “So you know.” He whispered. “Sheridan I’m sorry.”

Tears poured down Sheridan’s face as she looked into Antonio’s eyes. “How could you do that to me? I cared about you, I gave you myself and you just took it all! You used me for profit! What kind of sick man does that to a person?”

Antonio’s eyes met Sheridan’s. “Luis always got what he wanted. He got the women, the friends, the popularity when we were in school. He was the one Theresa and Miguel turned to, the one everyone adored. You were the one thing Luis wanted more than anything else and I couldn’t let him have you.” His voice was a eerie calm as he spoke to Sheridan. He showed no remorse as tears slipped off Sheridan’s cheeks.

“You monster!” She screamed. “What kind of person are you?”

“I never wanted you to find out.” Antonio frowned. “I was going to spend my life with you. Luis would have loved that.”

“Never!” Sheridan spoke glaring up at him. “My life is with Luis and our son! I hate you for this Antonio. I married you because I thought you were dying! I cherish marriage but I committed myself to you.”

“Yeah, that was a good plan Al came up with. The whole unknown disease thing.” He smirked.

His smirk was short lived as Sheridan’s backhand raked across his cheek. “You faked that?” She screamed. “You’re as evil as my father!”

“And I suppose you and Luis are perfect? Don’t act so angelic Sheridan.”

“Get out!” Sheridan yelled. “Get out of my house. This marriage will be annulled at once!”

“And what about my family?” Antonio questioned. “This will tear mama apart.”

“You should have thought about that before you used me. Do you know how dirty I feel? Just get out of here Antonio! I want you out of my life, and I never want to see your face again.”

Antonio dropped his head, “Well I guess it was fun while it lasted.”

Sheridan’s fist collided with Antonio’s lip as her blue eyes glared up at him. “Get out now or I’ll call Luis!”

Antonio groaned, "Of course call your hero. You want me gone? Fine I'll just take the millions I made off you and be on my way." He laughed. THe door shut behind him as Sheridan collapsed in the floor in tears.

____________________________________________

Charity smiled as Miguel walked into her room. “Miguel.”

“I heard you were feeling bad? Want to talk about it?” He questioned taking a seat on her bed.

“It’s just those visions.” She frowned. “I want them to go away.”

Miguel touched her hand, “I’m sorry Charity. I hate that those things are bothering you again.”

“I know Miguel.” She smiled dropping her head shyly. “I’m sorry I shouldn’t be bothering you with this.” Standing she walked over and stared out her window. “I just hate troubling you.”

Miguel frowned, but he wanted to be bothered. He wanted the woman he loved to share her thoughts and her fears with him. He didn’t want to just be there, he wanted to help and Charity never seemed to get that. He always thought people were supposed to talk about all their problems. Share when they were hurt, it was what Kay had done with him when they were younger anyway.

Miguel Lopez-Fitzgerald felt a hand nudging him as his eyes opened in the dark room. His eyes fluttered softly as the cold wind suddenly hit him from the open window.

“Miguel wake up.” A soft voice ordered.

He knew that voice as his vision finally became clear. “Kay.” He questioned sitting up in his bed. Fifteen-year-old Kay Bennett smiled down at him, “You know you should really lock that window at night.”

“What’s going on?” He asked through a yawn. “Is something wrong?”

“It’s one in the morning and I’m in your bedroom what do you think?” She asked sitting down on the bed next to him.

“Welllll.” He spoke with a smirk. “I can think of a few things.”

“Oh get over yourself!” Kay laughed her cheeks flushed.

He saw her eyes darting to his shirtless chest and he blushed. “Could you hand me that shirt?” He questioned.

“I can’t reach it.” She smirked.

“Kay.” He whined. “Please?”

“I just needed to see someone that understands.” She spoke ignoring his question. Her smile turned into a frown as she dropped her head.

“Kay what happened?” He asked touching her hand. “Talk to me.”

“It’s mom again.” She frowned. “Jess told her that the class camping trip was just going to be some big hook up deal. Mom thinks I’m going just so I can make out with a guy.”

“Why would Jess do that?” Miguel questioned.

“She hates me?” Kay spoke rolling her eyes. “And she wants mom to think I’m easy I guess.” She shrugged.

“Well if your not going, I’m not going.” Miguel smiled.

“No Miggs!” Kay spoke quickly. “You can’t do that.”

“You’re my best friend, what fun would it be without you?”

Kay nodded her head, “How can my sister be so terrible?” She asked. “Whatever she says Mom believes.”

“I know.” Miguel nodded. “Theresa can get away with anything and I usually get punished for it.”

“Its not fair.” Kay spoke with a sigh. “I wanted to go on that trip so bad. I can’t believe my mother thinks I just wanted to use it to get a man. I’m not desperate.”

“I know that.” Miguel smiled. “Jess is just a brat.”

Kay nodded her head, “It just hurts that mom listens to her.” She whispered wiping a single tear from her eye.

“Kay.” Miguel whispered motioning his arms toward her. “It’s ok.” He spoke hugging her gently. He felt her rest her head against his shoulder and he sighed. Pulling her hair away from her face he felt his heart speed up.

“I should go.” She whispered looking at him. Her blue eyes met his in the night light and his hand instantly touched her face. He didn’t want to pull away, and he knew she didn’t want to go.

“You don’t have to leave yet.” He spoke softly.

She swallowed, “I think I do.”

“Miguel! Miguel are you listening to me?” Charity questioned waving her hand in his face.

“Huh what?” He asked suddenly coming back to reality.

“Where were you just then?” She asked her tone worried. “I asked if you wanted to get something to eat.”

“Oh, I was in a daze I guess.” Miguel shrugged. “Sorry if I zoned out.”

“Zoned? Miguel I have been talking to you for the last few minutes and you haven’t heard a word I said.”

“I’m sorry Char, I guess I’m just tired.” Miguel shrugged. “I’ve been out of it lately, Jamie got me up early this morning.”

Charity’s face softened, “I’m sorry Miguel, its ok I understand.”

And just like that Charity was smiling again. Miguel shook his head and fought away the memory he had just had. He was with Charity, he was going to marry Charity and spend his life with her. She was the one he was supposed to be with. She was the one that made him feel safe. “You’re so sweet and understanding.” He spoke forcing a smile.

“That’s because I love you.” Charity answered back. “I love you with all my heart.”

“I love you too.” He spoke, but the words with all my heart just wouldn’t come out this time.
__________________________________________
Julian Crane walked into the Book Café feeling more than a little out of place. If he wasn’t on a mission he would never been in the little shop. Looking around he smiled, just as he thought, Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald was sitting in the corner having his usual coffee. He felt for the man when he saw the frown on his face. He knew Luis loved his sister deeply, and Julian understood that kind of love.

Saying a small prayer that Luis wouldn’t hit him upon eye contact he made his way over to the table.

“Excuse me Luis.” He spoke as a pair of deep brown eyes looked at him.

“What do you want?” Luis growled sitting down his coffee.

“Only a moment of your time.” Julian spoke sitting down in the chair in front of Luis. “Its about Sheridan.”

“Sheridan? Is something wrong with Sheridan?” Luis questioned.

“No, no nothing like that.” Julian spoke quickly. “I just wanted to tell you that from this day forward I support your love for my sister.”

“You what?” Luis choked almost spitting out his coffee. “Is this some sick joke?”

Julian smiled and shook his head. “No joke. I want you to know that I now know that you and my sister are deeply in love. I also know that tonight will be a turning point for the two of you.”

“Julian what’s going on?” Luis questioned. “Are you on drugs?”

“No drugs.” Julian shrugged. “I just can’t stand in your way any longer.” With a sigh he looked at Luis, “You shouldn’t be here right now Luis, you should be at the cottage. If I’m right, and I usually am, my sister needs you right now.”

“What do you know that your not telling me Crane?” Luis asked his voice a mild growl.

“Just go to the cottage.” Julian spoke. “Now.”

_______________________________________________________________________
 
 
 

Miguel had spent the last three hours calling Kay's apartment. He had only wanted to tell her he had some of Jamie's clothes over at his house, but when he couldn't get her he had become worried. Now he stood in front of her door in the middle of the night. It wasn’t like Kay not to answer her phone, and he couldn’t help but worry about her and their son. He knew if she was safe inside sleeping she’d more than likely kill him, but Miguel had to take that chance. Taking a deep breath he knocked on Kay’s door. He couldn’t help but feel worried when she didn’t answer so the next time he knocked it was more of a pounding.

He heard footsteps and let out the breath he realized he’d been holding.

“Kay it’s me, open up.” Miguel called out. “Are you okay?”

The door slowly peeked open and Kay looked out. “Miguel!” She hissed finally opening the door completely. “What are you doing here?”

Miguel stepped in the apartment and shut the door behind him. “I was worried about you. I’ve been calling for hours and when you didn’t answer I…” He stopped short as he looked up at Kay for the first time. She was standing in front of him in a short white nightgown. He scanned her body from the white lace at the bottom of the short, very short nightgown to the tiny straps that were hanging off her shoulders. His eyes caught the plunging neckline and it caught his breath.

“Miguel?” Kay spoke. “Miguel stop staring.”

Miguel tried to look away but his eyes wouldn’t allow him to. He was a man, and as much as he wanted to be a gentleman having a very sexy woman standing in front of him made it tough. “Um, are you um here with someone?” He questioned.

Kay’s blue eyes grew large. “No!” She spoke quickly. “How could you even think that?”

“I don’t know, I just um, I’ve never saw you, dressed like that.” He gulped.

“Yeah.” Kay blushed. “Most of my clothes are in the wash.” She sighed. “I should get a robe.”

“You don’t have to.” Miguel spoke quickly.

Kay chuckled, “Oh yes I do.”

“Kay, just so you know, you do not look like a woman that just had a baby, not at all.” Miguel smiled nervously.

“You really think so?” Kay asked.

“Oh trust me.” Miguel nodded.

“Thanks.” Kay blushed. “But I should get that robe.”

Miguel watched as Kay turned and let out a deep breath. If he were lucky, very lucky her robes would be in the wash too.

“You’re in love with Charity.” Miguel scolded himself. “You want Charity. Just because Kay looks hot in nothing doesn’t mean you have to stare.”

“Doesn’t mean you have to talk to yourself either.” Kay chuckled from the hall.

“Oh my… Kay.” Miguel gasped. “Yeah so I want to fall through the floor right now.”

“Oh please, you’ve saw me in less.” She smirked. “Relax Miggs. I mean you act like I’m the only woman you’ve saw unclothed.”

Miguel dropped his head, ‘”You are.”

Kay’s mouth gapped open, “You and Charity haven’t? I mean I just thought that you two were, oh man now I’m the one embarrassed.”

Miguel shrugged his shoulders, “We just haven’t that’s all.”

Kay nodded her head, “Hey, its no big deal. It’s cool that you two have waited. It’s just that I just thought that you would want to and honestly I’m shocked she’s resisted you.”

“Why are you shocked?” He asked.

“Because Miguel, You’ve kissed me, I know how passionate you are. I don’t know call me crazy but I just figured it be hard for you two to wait.”

“I’m passionate? So you’re saying I’m a good kisser?” Miguel grinned. “That kiss got to you last night didn’t it? You liked it as much as I did, and you didn’t want it to end.”

Kay rolled her eyes and shifted uncomfortably pulling her robe around her, “Oh shut up, you’re so full of yourself.”

“Why can’t you just admit it?” He asked.

“Why couldn’t you admit how you felt about me years ago?” Kay challenged out of nowhere. “Why did you wait until I was happy and moving on?”

“Kay.” Miguel frowned.

“We can’t go back, you’re with Charity now Miguel. Stay with Charity!”

“But the kiss.”

“The kiss took my breath away! The stupid kiss turned my brain into mush and I couldn’t think. It was powerful ok Miguel? The kiss was real this time, for the first time it was real! Are you happy now? Is that what you wanted to hear? The kiss was what I used to dream it’d be like, but we can’t do this now! We can’t go back and we can’t hurt Charity!” She yelled.

“But what if I told you I’ve never felt anything like that before? What if I said that all I have been thinking about is you?” Miguel asked moving toward her.

“I’d say it’s still too late. Fox Crane called me tonight and asked me out and I said yes Miguel.” She spoke her voice soft. “I’m moving on.”

Miguel looked stunned for a moment he was speechless. “Fox Crane is after one thing!”

“Do you think I’d actually sleep with him just because Miguel?” Kay questioned.

“No, I know you wouldn’t. You’re going out with him because of me! Because I kissed you!”

“Would be please shut up about the kiss? I admitted it Miguel, that that one kiss was hot, but that doesn’t mean it would happen again. It was just the stupid moment we were in. It was just a one time thing.”

Miguel stood staring at her for a moment and then suddenly on impulse pulled her toward him, quickly capturing her lips with his. She started to fight him at first, but as the kiss became intense all she could do was wrap her arms around him and pull him closer. She relaxed in his arms and buried her fingers in his brown curls. Suddenly he pulled away and looked at her, “Tell me it was a one time thing now.” He whispered.