Our Last Chance – Chapter 8

Six weeks later, Sheridan sat on the sofa of the cottage nursing LJ. She gently ran her fingers over his dark head of hair. Luis would be home soon. She’d promised to remove some of the stuffed animals that filled the cottage. She raised her eyes surveying the room. Toys were everywhere. She’d had an appointment with Eve Russell that day, and she’d never had time to deal with Alistair’s gifts. Luis complained that they were crowded in the cottage and they should find a place in town. Sheridan knew that his intent was to move them off the Crane estate. Luis was still threatened by Alistair’s interest in LJ. For six weeks, they’d fought off and on about Alistair. The tension between them had been fierce at times. Sheridan was insulted when Luis called her naive. Their disagreement wasn’t resolved.

On the other side of the estate, Alistair’s voice boomed over the speakerphone at Julian. “Have you checked on my grandson today?”

“Fox is fine, as far as I know,” Julian answered. Knowing that Fox held no interest for Alistair, Julian smiled to himself. Occasionally, it was entertaining to irritate Alistair.

“Not Fox, you imbecile. LJ, my heir.”

“Father, does Luis know that you’ve proclaimed his son heir-apparent?”

“Stop thinking, Julian. It’s not your strong suit. Now, get over to the cottage and call me back with a report.” The phone went dead.

Julian rose from his desk and headed to the cottage. In truth, he didn’t mind being sent to observe LJ. After being present at the child’s birth, Julian had more interest in LJ than he’d ever had in his own children as infants. He contemplated Alistair’s obsession with the child. LJ was the one grandchild who Alistair believed carried Crane genes. Alistair had told Julian that if Ivy cuckolded him once, she’d probably passed her other brats off as Crane’s too. Their lineage was suspect. But, Sheridan’s child was another matter.

Julian tapped on the cottage door and entered when Sheridan called out to him. When he came into the cottage, he said, “Making my daily rounds.”

“Father’s orders?” Sheridan asked. She covered LJ’s head and her breast with a lightweight blanket as Julian approached them.

“Hmm, “ Julian murmured. Then he stumbled or tangled with a large, furry, purple creature. “Damn. I’d think you’d want space enough to walk across the room.”

Sheridan lifted her face to Julian, laughing. “You sound like Luis.”

“Well, I’d have to agree with him on this one. Why don’t I get the servants to transport some of this menagerie to the mansion storage rooms?”

Sheridan agreed that might be the best way to appease Luis. At that moment, Luis pushed through the door. He scowled at Julian and approached Sheridan. He kissed her cheek and grinned as he lifted the edge of the blanket, peeking at LJ. Turning back to Julian, he stated, “Just leaving, Julian.”

Julian grinned, “Yes, as a matter of fact.” He turned toward the door. “Pleasant evening to all.” As he walked back to the mansion, Julian considered his awkward relationship with Luis.

The tenor of it changed after LJ’s birth. Although Luis would never trust him, there was an openness between them. One evening Julian had told Luis that if Alistair became a threat to LJ, he would immediately inform Luis. Luis replied, “So, you’re a double agent now.” Julian was working the situation to his advantage. Luis was less likely to go after him about Martin Fitzgerald’s disappearance if Julian was a buffer between Alistair and LJ. Well, maybe not a buffer. He was merely the alarm system. But, Julian also marveled at the subtle changes in his own perspective over the last few months. His concern for LJ was sincere. And, he was fairly sure that Luis knew it, although he would never completely trust it.

Later that evening, Sheridan put LJ down for the night. She hadn’t mentioned to Luis that she’d had her six-week postpartum appointment with Eve that afternoon. She changed to her sexiest black nightgown, a signal Luis wouldn’t miss.

Luis paced the main room of the cottage. His sexual tension had built over the last few weeks. Every time he looked at Sheridan, she seemed to have her breasts exposed. They were full ripe orbs. His son suckled noisily at times. Luis was almost envious when he watched LJ nestled to Sheridan’s breast. He’d noted a pleasured, almost sublime, expression on Sheridan’s face when she nursed. He wanted that expression to be of his making. He’d have to control his desire until Doctor Russell gave Sheridan her OK. Resigned, he heaved a sigh as Sheridan opened the bedroom door. His jaw dropped when he saw her. One thin black strap dropped off her shoulder. The lace of the gown barely covered the tips of her breasts, luscious mounds. His breath caught in his throat.

She blushed self-consciously and hesitantly moved toward him. Flustered, Luis asked, “Has Doctor Russell said...”

Sheridan’s eyes sparkled. She says, “I’m perfect.”

Luis moved to her and replied huskily, “Couldn’t have said it better.” He ran the tip of his finger across her breasts just above the lace.

Sheridan felt her heart race. It had been so long that she was actually trembling.

Luis placed his hands at her waist, pulling her body to his, soft breast to firm chest. God, he loved her. He knew her weaknesses and loved her. Sheridan ran her fingers into Luis’s hair at the base of his neck. He lowered his mouth to hers and briefly brushed her lips with his. Kisses wouldn’t satisfy his need. He lifted her into his arms and carried her to their bed. When he dropped her feet to the floor beside the bed, she pulled her straps down her arms and the gown floated to her feet on the floor. Maybe they should slow down. But, they were consumed, driven. Tonight they needed to be one, physically, spiritually, quickly. Sheridan ached with an emptiness that only Luis could fill. She pressed her lips to his ear and whispered, “I need you inside of me.” Needing no encouragement, he plunged into her. Her back arched and her hips rose from the bed. A small cry escaped her lips. Luis stilled. She must be like a virgin this first time after giving birth. He started to withdraw. Sheridan pressed her hands to his lower back, holding him to her. Her eyes flashed. “Don’t you dare leave me.”

Luis grinned down at her, saying, “Demanding little wench.” Slowly he moved. She held him tight and then moved with him. Their tempo increased to a crescendo, a release.

Luis rolled from her, but pulled her close to spoon her body with his. Sheridan whispered, “This is the best part.”

Luis chuckled. “One more thing we don’t agree on.”

Sheridan shoved his shoulder. She said, “By the way, Julian’s attorney expedited the divorce. It was final today.”

Luis rolled her to face him. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

She raised her eyebrow seductively. “Had something else on the agenda this evening.”

Luis said, “I wish Julian hadn’t played a part in it.”

“And, that’s the other reason I didn’t mention it.”

Luis studied her. In a way, she had deceived him. Teasing her, he said, “You’re not turning into Alistair Crane’s daughter, are you?”

There was steel in her tone when she answered. Luis had never heard her use this tone. “I am Alistair Crane’s daughter.”
 
 

Luis backed off. He didn’t want to fight with her tonight. He murmured, “I accept that.”

“What you mean is you’ll overlook this major flaw.” It was merely a statement of fact. She didn’t want to fight with him tonight either.

“Hell, what do you want me to say?” Luis rose from the bed and tugged his boxers on.

Watching him, Sheridan observed, “Nice butt.”

He looked over his shoulder. She sat up, letting the sheet fall from her breasts. One look and he wanted her all over again.

She saw it in his eyes. She raised her arm and turned her palm up, enticing him back to her. For the next hour, Luis lost himself in her.

Before they fell asleep he declared, “I love you.” She snuggled under his chin, but Luis pressed his finger under her chin and raised her face to his. “Marry me.”

“Yes,” she sighed. She lowered her head to his chest. The thudding of his heart sounded in her ear. Their love wasn’t simple, and the moment wasn’t romantic. They knew their love had changed. It wasn’t their destiny. It was their choice. They slept until LJ woke them.

A week later LJ cried off and on all day. Sheridan gave him a supplemental bottle of formula, which satisfied him, but made her feel inadequate. After two weeks of supplementing his feedings, she went in to see Doctor Russell. Eve ran several tests. After the results were in, she sat in her office with Sheridan. Sheridan waited for the verdict, thinking something’s wrong with me. Eve said, “Sheridan, you’re in excellent health, and you’re pregnant.”