Chapter 6: Don’t Think Of Me
So you're with her and not with me.
Oh how lucky one man can be
I hear your house is small and clean
Oh how lovely with your homecoming queen
Oh how lovely it must be.
When you see her sweet smile baby, don’t think of me.
When she lies in your warm arms, don’t think of me.
-- Dido
 

Gwen fingered through the Times magazine that was lying on the expensive crystal coffee table in the middle of the Hotchkiss living room. She let out a loud sigh and glanced at her watch wondering what was taking her brother so long. She knew he had had a long flight from London but twenty minutes in a shower for a man was ridiculous. Even she only took ten minutes in the shower most of the time. She flopped back on the antique couch and giggled. Her brother was almost British…no wonder he was taking so long.

Anna, the maid, came into the room to pick up the tray of tea she had left for Gwen. Gwen smiled at her and then closed her eyes, wondering why she was still so sleepy. A blush hit her cheeks, as she thought of the events of the night before and how physically exhausted she was along with being pleasantly sated. A small tingle ran up her spine and she shudder lightly thinking of Luis’ lips on her own, on her skin – exploring every part of her. If she concentrated hard enough, she could still feel him touching her passionately, gently, wildly and tenderly, sending conflicting sensations through her entire system.

He was an excellent lover, that much she knew for sure - just the right blend of gentleness and passion, just the right amount of heat and sweet physical torture. She knew it was the best sex she ever had. With Ethan, it had always been slow and sweet and almost always in bed. She and Luis had barely made it to the bed after round three in the middle of her living room and even then, they had toppled on to the bed, really unsure of how they got there. Hell, she had been very comfortable on the couch.

A rapid fire coursed through her veins, as she thought of the first time they had made love in Boston. It had been wild and passionate just like the night before. Luis seemed to understand the fire burning inside her and her need for a blow-you-brains-out night of passionate sex. She remembered telling her mother that she and Ethan always had great sex. With Luis, ‘great sex’ just didn’t seem to be the apt description. She felt a wicked smile spread across her face as she thought of the reaction on Rebecca’s face if she ever found out about Luis. The woman would surely have a fit.

"Penny for your thoughts," Jacob’s voice snapped her out of her reverie. She jolted off the couch and stood up, looking at her brother who was leaning against the pillar at the entrance of the living room, an amused smirk on his face.

Gwen felt her blush deepen as she tried to calm down her aroused body. "How long have you been standing there? I didn’t hear you come in."

"Well obviously," he said as he pushed off the pillar and made his way to his sister. "You seemed to be having quite a daydream there. You looked all hot and bothered."

"No," Gwen said her voice shaking. "I was just trying to have a little nap. After all, you take forever in the shower." She hoped he wouldn’t notice that she was trying to change the subject. Jacob was a very perceptive man and he could read her like a book.

"Subtle, Gwen dear. Very subtle." He mocked. Obviously he had caught on to her intentions. He walked up to the liquor cabinet and poured himself a glass of brandy. "So, do I know him and is he good for you?"

"Know who?" Gwen asked feigning calm.

He looked at her and arched an eyebrow. "I may have been gone too long, sister dear, but not long enough. You know I’m going to figure it out sooner or later so might as well save you and me the trouble of a third party getting involved. Come now, spit out a name."

"Jake," Gwen said rolling her eyes, pretending to be annoyed. "I think you are still a little light-headed from the time change and all. Are you sure you’re well enough to go out?"

"Fine, love." he said with a grin. "You keep this mystery man of yours in the dark for now. Once I catch up with the rest of the US, I’m on to you and this man who has you blushing like a hormonal teenager with wicked thoughts."

"You are too kind," Gwen said and kissed his cheek. She looked at him and smiled, knowing that he wouldn’t push her if she wasn’t ready. "Thank you."

"Well," Jacob said with a knowing smile. "You just count your lucky stars that I am still dazed from that bloody flight."

Gwen laughed and latched her arm onto his as they headed out the door together. "So, tell me about this bloody flight. Did you see any good films?"
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
"So, she’s fine?" Luis asked as he raised an eyebrow in Hank’s direction. He nodded and took a long sip of his coffee. "Nothing is wrong with her?"

"Well," Hank said and put the mug down in front of him. "She’s not in the perfect state of health. She just has the flu. The doctor says it’s in the air this time of year."

Luis sighed and leaned back on his chair as he listened to hank talk about Sheridan Crane at the Book Café. He felt like a complete fool for worrying about her when she was obviously doing just fine. She didn’t need him keeping tabs on her and he really didn’t need to know everything that happened in her life ever since they had broken up. It was just that he was having this unsettling feeling in his stomach about her. No matter how many hurtful words they had said and what had transpired between them, he still felt like he had a connection with her. They had been through so much
together, after all. "Then why was she at the hospital?"

"She was running an errand for Ivy." Hank answered with a shrug. "I don’t think it’s anything major. You can relax, buddy."

"Hank, you think I’m being worrywart, don’t you?"

"No," Hank answered sincerely. "You’re a very caring person, Luis. It’s in your nature to worry about people. Part of the reason you became a cop. You have always been like this, so no one expects you to change."

Luis thought about what Hank had said. It was true. Martin had left when Luis was so young and the responsibility of being the man of the house fell on his shoulders. Along with that responsibility came constant worry and fear of failing. He had often heard Pilar tell Grace or one of her friends that he had become a father too soon.
And with the woman in his life he had always been over-bearing and protective. He worried about his mother and her job at the Cranes and he worried about Theresa’s fantasies of Ethan. He didn’t like the fact that Pilar worked for the men he believed were responsible for martin’s disappearance and he had been so right about that. Theresa’s dream of Ethan, although fulfilled was far from the fairytale she had envisioned. Ethan wasn’t a Crane and it had taken them a long time to get past the lies and the hurt that ensued.

Then there was Beth. The reason why they were so on and off throughout high school, was because he kept worrying about her constantly. He found it very hard to stay away from her when she was down or upset and they would almost always end up comforting each other and finding their way back into each other’s arms. Of course, they’d fight again and break up, swearing it was for real until the cycle started over again they ended up making out again.

Sheridan had ended that cycle, when she came into his life.

Sheridan was the fragile, scared woman who put up an independent front to all those who didn’t know her. She was the classic example of a damsel in distress and Luis was all too happy to oblige to play the part of the knight in shining armor. He loved her, he saved her and he protected her from her family and any danger she seemed to find herself in. But that was beginning to weigh on their relationship and soon they called it quits.

Playing the hero had always been a role Luis had become accustomed to. He’d become quite good at it too and it was a habit that was hard to break. He looked at Hank, who was studying his friend curiously. "I just think there’s more that’s going on."
"Luis," Hank started, rolling his eyes. "She was sick. Now she’s fine. There is anything going on. Why would she lie about something like that?"

"You’re right," Luis said after a pause. "I’m just being stupid."

"No argument from me," Hank answered with a grin. Luis shot him a sarcastic smile and the finished his last sip of coffee.

"Hey guys," Theresa said as she waddled over to her brother and his best friend. Ethan was right behind her, looking exhausted.

"What are you guys doing here?"

"Just catching up," Hank answered as Ethan and Theresa too the two empty seat next to them. "Hey Ethan, you look exhausted."

"Yeah," Ethan answered loosening his tie and looking at his uncle who was giving him a sympathetic smile. Luis smiled; still a little surprised by the fact that Hank was now Ethan’s uncle. Hank still thought that the ex-Crane was spoiled but longer thought of him as the ‘vindictive bastard’ he used to be. The way things change…

The chimes that hung above the door of the Book Café rung twice and Luis looked up to see who had entered while Ethan launched into a discussion of how his day had gone. Gwen entered, a smile on her face as she turned to the blond-haired man behind her. Luis gripped the table as he looked at her wondering who the hell he was. Theresa seemed to catch on that her brother was not listening and followed his gaze. A small gasp escaped her lips. "Well, look who’s back in town."

Hank and Ethan turned to see who she was talking about and Luis saw something cloud over in Ethan’s blue eyes. Hank looked at Luis, furrowing his brow. "Buddy, your knuckles are white."
Luis looked down at his hand and then looked away. He cleared his throat and looked at Ethan. "So who’s the guy?"

"Well, I’ll be damned." Ethan said all of a sudden. "That’s Jacob."

"Jacob?" Theresa asked before Luis could.

"Gwen’s younger brother," Ethan explained. "I haven’t’ seen him in years."

"Oh," Luis said with a small smile feeling like a complete idiot. "Gwen’s brother."

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Gwen laughed as Jacob continued his story about how he got drunk one night at a club in London. They had just come from the hospital after being told that their father’s condition hadn’t changed and Jacob had suggested they go for some coffee to get their minds off of everything. Gwen’s laughter, however, was short-lived as she turned away from her brother and saw Ethan, Theresa, Hank and Luis sitting at a table, not too far away. Her eyes connected with Luis’s for a split second before he turned away and said something to Ethan.

Jacob seemed to sense his sister’s discomfort and leaned in to whisper. "Do you want to leave? I’m sure there are other coffee shops around here."

"No," Gwen answered plastering a smile across her face. "Beth makes the best coffee in all of New England. Besides, I’m not going to let Ethan chase me out. It’s been two years and I can handle it."

"That’s my girl," Jacob said with a smile and headed towards the counter. Beth Wallace was standing there with Chad Harris, talking to him excitedly about something. Jacob looked at Beth amused and arched an eyebrow towards Gwen. "Who’s the babe?"

"The babe," Gwen whispered. "is Beth Wallace. She’s the manager of this place. Her mother, Marie Wallace used to own this place before the Cranes took over. Don’t get any idea little brother, she’s engaged."

"Just engaged?" Jacob asked with a smirk. "Plenty of time…"

Gwen rolled her eyes. Jacob had a tendency to chase after women who were unattainable. He was notorious in the British society for sleeping around with many married women. She smacked him lightly on the arm. "This isn’t London and Beth Wallace isn’t any woman. She’s the loyal type and from what I know, she’s head over heels for her fiancé."

"Don’t worry about me Gwen," Jacob answered cockily. "I know what I am doing."

Just then, Beth noticed Gwen and walked over a polite smile on her face. "Gwen Hotchkiss. Long time, no see."

"Hello Beth." Gwen replied kindly. Jacob nudged her and she rolled his eyes. "Beth, I’d like you to meet my brother, Jacob Hotchkiss. Jacob, Beth Wallace."

"Nice to meet you," Beth said nicely as she extended her hand. Jacob smiled and kissed her hand.

"The pleasure is all mine," he said, pretending to be the picture of innocence. Gwen had to bit her cheek to keep from laughing as Beth smiled back, pretty taken aback by Jacob.
"He lives in London," Gwen explained.

"Oh." Beth answered and then glanced over at Gwen’s shoulder. Gwen turned around to come face to face with Hank Bennett.

"Gwen, you remember Hank."

"Of course I do," Gwen answered and shook his hand. "How’ve you been, Hank?"

"I’ve been good, Gwen," Hank answered eyeing her brother. "And you must be…?"

"Jacob Hotchkiss," Jacob said extending his hand, and seizing up the competition. Gwen could actually feel the dislike coming off from both men and decided to order her coffee and get as far away from Hank Bennett as possible.

Before she could say anything, Ethan showed up a grim line set across his face. Gwen felt her heartbeat accelerate as she looked up into the eyes of the man she once loved so much. There was a time when she could tell exactly what was going on behind those deep blue pools without even having to ask.

She looked over Ethan’s shoulder and saw Theresa standing there, very pregnant. Her breath caught in her throat and she swallowed back the lump that rose there. Theresa was pregnant. She was giving Ethan his first child. The past flashed through her minds’ eye and she grabbed the counter behind her as a memory assailed her.

"Children, huh?" Gwen asked Ethan as they lay in bed after a particularly long day.
"Yes, children." Ethan answered and kissed her head. "Do you want children?"
"One day," Gwen answered looking into his blue eyes. "One day I want your children."
"How many?"
"You tell me."
"Four." Ethan answered with a grin. "Two boys and two girls so they won’t feel like they’re out numbered or anything."
"I’ll try." Gwen laughed and then leaned up to kiss him deeply.

Suddenly, she didn’t feel like coffee anymore.