Luis sat in the garden, remembering the time that he proposed to Sheridan.

Flashback

“ Sheridan Crane, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

“ Oh, Luis! Yes!”

Sheridan hugged Luis and he held her in his arms, hoping the moment would never end.

End of flashback

“ You miss my sister.”, Julian said.

“ Like you even understand. You and Alistair have fought my relationship from the word go.”

” That is true. And, I was wrong.”

Luis stared at Julian. “ What’s your angle, Julian? Why all this phony concern?”

“ It’s not phony. What’s happening to Sheridan is WRONG. On so many levels.”

” Then get me in to see Sheridan.”

” I would if I could. But, the facts are, I can’t see Sheridan either. I’ve been banned.”

“ You really can’t help me.”

” No. Father and Antonio will not allow me to see Sheridan. I know you love Sheridan. That is clear. I’m sorry I did what I did to hurt your relationship with Sheridan.”

” Julian, I don’t believe you. You’ve never given a shit about Sheridan your entire life.”

” That’s true. I haven’t been what Sheridan has needed, and you don’t have to believe me.”

” Good, I don’t.”

“ Don’t give up on Sheridan, Luis. No matter what, keep on fighting for her. Sheridan deserves to be happy. “

Luis looked at Julian suspiciously as Julian walked away.
 

“ Hello, Gwen.”

” Antonio.”, Gwen replied as she walked into the Cottage.

” So, are you here to tell me what a creep I am. How wrong I am.”

” Hell yes. Sheridan is my best friend and what you’re doing to her is WRONG. Sheridan’s not crazy. She doesn’t love you – it happens. If ANYONE knows about that, I do. “

” You do.”

” Don’t you know my history? I spent 10 years with Ethan, only to lose him to your teen stalking sister. “

” Gwen..”

” Spare me the bullshit about not talking about Theresa. But, did I blame Ethan? No. I excused him. I thought he was ‘led astray’ by Theresa. Doesn’t that sound a lot like your talk about Luis ‘influencing’ Sheridan? Sounds like it to me. Sheridan doesn’t love you.”

” She DOES love me.”

” No. Diana loved you. And, even when she was Diana, she couldn’t forget Luis. She didn’t know his name, but he haunted her dreams. What does that tell you? Luis was her heart, even when she didn’t know who she was. I know you’re sad. I know you’re bitter. I know every emotion that you’re experiencing. I’ve been there. I’m STILL there. Antonio, don’t do this.”

“ You don’t know anything about mine and Sheridan’s love. And, it’s because of talk like this that makes me know that I was right to keep you off the visitor’s list.”

Gwen’s face filled with fury. “ You know what? I tried coming here with sympathy for you. You are wrong. And, you will never be with Sheridan. Those of us who REALLY know Sheridan will fight you and win!” Gwen slapped Antonio and left the Cottage.
 

Julian watched as Antonio left the Cottage. He took his key, entered and went into Sheridan’s bedroom. He went to her vanity and picked up her hairbrush set. It was the same style his mother used. It was the only Christmas present Julian knew she’d appreciate and he had given her a new one every year since their mother died. He put them into the plastic bag that Eve provided. He left the house and went to put the set in a safe place.
 

Luis opened the door to the Wallace house. The furniture was moved, and there was a spread in the middle of the room.

“ Beth, what is all of this?”

” Luis. I thought we could spend the afternoon together. I got all of your favorite’s fixed.”

“ Beth, you know I can’t date you. I love Sheridan.”

“ Luis, this isn’t a date. Look over there.” Beth pointed to a pile of boxes. “ Those are things I ordered from QVC. They had a real sale on baby items. It’s Martin’s baby swing, a rocker, and this special mobile. I thought, as Martin’s parents, we could put them together. I also found the perfect wallpaper for the nursery.”

” Beth, I…”

” Luis. I think I’ve been pretty patient for Martin, but I’m going to put my foot down. Sheridan is locked up. Unless you tell me that you’ve got an order for her release, there’s NOTHING that you can do for her. Martin needs you. He needs you way more than you’ve been  in his life. And, spending an afternoon with me, helping me with things for OUR SON, should not be a burden for you!” Beth began to cry.

Luis went over to Beth and held her. “ I’m sorry, Beth. You’re right. I promised you that our son would not go wanting, and I’m going to keep my promise. We have to find a way to work on this. I do have responsibilities to Martin. We can spend the afternoon together. We’ll work on this as Martin’s parents. Thanks for setting it up.”

“ Sniff..sniff…I’m just trying to be a good mother, Luis.”

“ I know you are. Maybe we can play with him. Where is he? Upstairs?”

” Actually, he’s at your mother’s. I know how much she’s wanted to see him.”

” She really has. We set up a crib in Little Ethan’s room for him and Maria.”

” I know. I saw it. Your mother has a wonderful setup for the kids.”

” Mama loves her family. You know what…we’ll spend the afternoon doing all of this for Martin, and then, we’ll go over to Mama’s and have dinner with the family.”

“ Yes. As a family.”, Beth said, grinning ear to ear.
 
 

“ Eve, you are such a dear to this for me. I can’t believe that you’d drop your work at the hospital to come and check out Martin.”

” Now, Pilar, I know how worried you were. I just want to give a grandmother, peace of mind.”

” I have a wonderful changing table set up in the nursery. You want to use it?”

” Sure.”, Eve picked up Martin and followed Pilar to the nursery. “ Pilar, this should only take a few minutes.”

“ Well, I’ll go heat up some tea and coffeecake for us, and Martin’s bottle.”

” You do that.”

Once Pilar has left the room, Eve closed the door. She opened her medical bag and pulled out her 3 DNA tests. “ Now, open your mouth, Martin. This won’t hurt.” Martin complied, and before she knew it, Eve had completed all the DNA tests. She then did do an exam of the baby, looking for possible signs of abuse. She was relieved when she didn’t find anything. Eve finished up the exam and changed Martin’s diaper. When she did, she noticed an unusual birthmark. She just stared at it for a few minutes. She had seen the birthmark before – on Julian.

Eve stroked Martin’s cheek. “ Are you Sheridan’s child?” Eve put his clothes back on, and took him back to Pilar.