This chapter is mainly Shuis and it doesn't move the plot much, but the ending makes it sort of a Father's Day post.
 

Our Last Chance – Chapter 10

Julian pulled up in front of Eve’s house. He started to open his car door. Eve stopped him with her hand on his arm. If TC saw him, there would be a scene. “No, don’t get out.”

He couldn’t suppress a swipe at TC. Julian was, after all, a flawed man. He said snidely, “I take it TC’s Anger Management Seminar was a dismal failure.”

Eve laughed a bitter release. As she got out of the car, she said, “I’d call it a complete bust.”

Julian enjoyed her ripple of laughter as she walked to her door. Best thing for her, a laugh at TC’s expense.
 

The next day Luis checked out the two-bedroom apartment. There was a steep flight of worn wooden stairs up to it. He visualized a nine-months pregnant Sheridan, carrying LJ up those stairs. He could find something better. He stopped off at the cottage during his lunch break. Sheridan and LJ weren’t there. The doors were unlocked and her keys and purse were there. What the hell? Luis jogged to the mansion. Maybe Julian would know where she was. He pounded on the door and was ushered into Julian’s study. “Where is she?” he demanded.

“Sheridan?” Julian asked.

“Yes, Sheridan. Who the hell else?”

“I just happened to have seen her a few minutes ago from the window.” Julian pointed out the study window to the gardens beyond. “Look for yourself.”

Luis moved to the window and exhaled with relief. It was a beautiful, sunny day. Sheridan was walking LJ in his stroller. He watched as she knelt down and lifted LJ. She carried him to the edge of the gold fishpond and pointed into the water. Luis could see the smile on her face as she turned back toward the mansion.

Luis turned from the window to go out and join her. He paused with his back to Julian at the study door. He muttered, “Thanks.”

Julian answered, “The perks of having a master spy at your disposal.”

Luis turned and grinned at Julian. “Yeah.”

As Luis walked around the house to Sheridan, he considered the grounds of the estate. Sheridan could walk LJ safely here. She was one of the wealthiest women in the world, and her security would always be an issue. Julian keeping tabs on LJ wasn’t all bad. And, that walk up apartment was miserable.

When he reached Sheridan, she lit up, surprised to see him. He pulled her into a bear hug. Sensing his tension, she raised her hand to his cheek. “What is it?”

He grinned, knowing that she was in tune with him. “Meet me at the gazebo at five o’clock. I’ve arranged for a judge to marry us.”

She teased, “Well, if I’m not too busy. That’s when I usually start microwaving.”

Luis asked, “Think LJ could be my best man?”

Sheridan said, “Might be better to have witnesses who can sign their names.”

Luis asked, “Do you want to invite family and friends?”

Sheridan shook her head. “Not this time. Perfection would be just you and me.”

Luis agreed. He recalled visiting his mother one evening. He arrived as Pilar began her ritual of lighting a candle for her beloved, missing Antonio. It would be best to tell her that he and Sheridan were married after the fact. He brushed the hair from Sheridan’s forehead and planted a kiss there. Luis said, “I’ll bring one witness and you bring one. See ya at five!”

Luis stood in the gazebo with Hank and a judge at five o’clock. Sheridan came into view on the garden path. She wore a winter white coat and carried a small bouquet. The setting sun cast a golden glow over her. She could not have been a more radiant bride.

Julian followed behind her pushing LJ’s stroller. Hank guffawed at the sight of Julian, assuming Luis might call the whole thing off if he were Sheridan’s witness. Sheridan’s eyes twinkled as she approached Luis. He really didn’t care who the witnesses were. He wanted this woman for his wife before the sun went down. Placing her hand in his, Sheridan inclined her head slightly and whispered, “Hope you don’t mind, I brought Last Chance as my witness.” Luis grinned. Her nickname for Julian explained her choice.

Five minutes later, the judge stated, “By the power invested in me by the state of Maine, I pronounce you husband and wife.”

Hank said, “Hallelujah.”

Luis intended to kiss his bride softly, briefly. But, the kiss they shared expressed the joy of this long awaited moment. Neither of them could draw apart. Hank looked up into the sky and whistled a tune. The judge cleared his throat. Julian looked at his feet as he shifted from one foot to the other. LJ began to fuss, ending the romance. Sheridan leaned down to lift him from his stroller. She spoke softly, “Dinner time, little one.”

Julian extended his hand to Luis and said, “I hope you don’t object, but I’ve had a wedding dinner sent to the cottage from the main house.” Luis nodded his acceptance.
 

Later, Julian sat in his study with his brandy and his favorite tape playing. Tonight, his sister’s joy had him wallowing in his own misery - if only he’d had Sheridan’s determination to marry the love of his life. The phone rang and he punched the speaker button. Alistair’s voice boomed into the room. “What’s this fax I have sitting on my desk? Is this a copy of a marriage certificate with your signature as witness? Julian, you buffoon.”

“Father, I assumed that you would want your heir’s parents married.”

“Don’t assume. Don’t think. How many times have I told you not to indulge yourself, Julian? Are you prepared to deal with Luis snooping into the Crane affairs?”

“Father, I don’t believe that being married makes a difference in Luis’s interest in the Cranes. At the present, he’s preoccupied with his new family.”

“And, when his interest in your sister wanes, where will he turn his attention?”

“His family will be his focus for quite some time.”

Alistair sensed when Julian had a card up his sleeve. “Out with it, Julian. What do you know?”

“Mr. and Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald are expecting their second child.” Julian wished that he had a drum roll to accompany the announcement, although he did deliver the information with a flourish. The phone was silent as Alistair considered the news. Julian added, “An heir and a spare.”

“Well done, Julian.” Julian shrugged. He certainly couldn’t take credit. “See that they move into the main house immediately.”

“Luis will not budge on that one, Father, I assure you.”

Alistair was thoughtful. Julian had a point. “Begin an addition to the cottage tomorrow. I don’t want them moving off the estate because they need more space. Add at least six bedrooms. That should house them for awhile.”

“I’d say that will do it, Father.” Julian chuckled.

“You don’t get it, Julian. Your sister has taken a Latin-lover to her bed. There’s no end in sight. And, every child she delivers is MY blood. She’s popping them out, one a year. My God, there could be ten of them in ten years. It’s more than you could do in your prime, Julian. And the pick of your litter was Sam Bennett’s spawn.”

Julian clicked the phone off. He wasn’t up to his father’s abuse tonight. He was thoughtful. Although the cottage was on the Crane estate, it had always been Sheridan’s domain. He wondered how the couple would react to Alistair’s intrusion.
 

Around 11 o’clock, LJ cried, and Sheridan brought him to their bed to nurse him. She sat with her back supported by the headboard and the sheet dropped to her waist. Both breasts were exposed when Luis rolled over and looked up at her. LJ suckled greedily at one breast. Luis couldn’t resist, he reached up and ran his thumb around the nipple of the other. A pearl of milk formed. Mesmerized, Luis lifted it from her breast on his fingertip.

He sat up and braced his back to the headboard. Then, he pulled Sheridan’s back to his chest and wrapped his arm around her, placing one hand under LJ’s back. He could feel the rhythm of his son’s body as he tugged at Sheridan’s breast. Luis rested his other hand over Sheridan’s abdomen, protecting their unborn child. The sensual, spiritual connection of her family brought Sheridan’s emotions to a zenith. She murmured, “If this were my only moment of happiness, it would last me a lifetime.” Luis leaned his head back and closed his eyes, savoring the experience. Holding his wife and children was a celebration of life.