Our Last Chance – Chapter 9

Eve waited for Sheridan’s reaction. Sheridan blinked. She asked, “I’m pregnant?” Saying the words might explain them. She repeated, “I’m pregnant.” Slowly she smiled, and then she positively glowed.

Eve began to smile at her reaction, relieved. Sheridan was obviously happy, more than happy.

“I want babies,” she said.

Eve chuckled. “Looks like you’re going to have them.” Eve continued, “After the initial shock of expecting another baby this soon, many mothers look forward to it. You’re already in baby mode.”

“Can I continue nursing LJ?”

“Hormonal changes early in pregnancy sometimes cause the reduction in milk that you’re experiencing. Continue what you’re doing now. Give him a supplemental bottle. You can decide later how long you want to nurse.”

Sheridan rose to leave. She was almost dizzy with the news. Eve patted her shoulder and said, “A wonderful plus is that siblings born close together are frequently close friends.”

Sheridan nodded her understanding. “Julian and I are so far apart, it was hard for us to connect.”

Eve was immobile. She didn’t want to react to the mention of Julian. She considered how lonely Julian’s life must have been, even as a child. After Sheridan left her office, Eve continued to think of Julian. He’d comforted her, supported her, several times recently. Had she ever given him the support he needed? He had been isolated his entire life. The sadness of his world hung over her. Maybe Sheridan would see it.
 

When Julian came to make his daily check on the Crane heir, he moved around to the back door when Sheridan didn’t answer the front door. He ended up standing in Sheridan’s kitchen as she fed LJ a bottle. Sheridan burped LJ over her shoulder and said to Julian, “Could you give him the rest of this bottle so I can start dinner?”

Julian was speechless. When he didn’t respond, Sheridan placed his arms around LJ and his hand on the bottle. LJ grasped onto Julian’s little finger as he chugged away on his bottle. Julian was overwhelmed by the entire event. He’d never hung around in someone’s kitchen, much less fed an infant. If he had landed on the moon and been told to plant a flag, the feeling would be about the same, surreal.

Sheridan pulled boxes from the freezer and mumbled, “I don’t really cook, Julian. I microwave.” She giggled as she explained, “Luis has told me this isn’t cooking; it’s heating.”

Not looking up from LJ, Julian defended his sister’s efforts. “I’d think he appreciate a warm meal.” Sheridan laughed. Julian suggested, “I could have meals sent down from the main house.”

Sheridan asserted, “No! No servants, no cooks, no nannies. Not in the Lopez-Fitzgerald home. Luis and I disagree on some things, but not on this.” Sheridan stood beside the counter and stared into space for a moment. Another baby. She looked askance at Julian. The excitement almost bubbled out of her, but she needed to tell Luis first.

Watching LJ down his bottle, Julian asked, “So how long before you have another one of these?”

Dumbfounded, Sheridan asked, “What?” Did Julian know?

“I thought you could give me some morsel of inside information, something that would convince Father that my spying is worth its weight in gold.”

Sheridan grinned. Certainly, she could give Julian a tidbit that would raise him in Alistair’s eyes. She said, “Tell Father that it’s your impression that the next grandchild will come sooner, not later.”

Julian said, “He’d certainly revel in that kind of ...” He came to a full stop. Sheridan was grinning like the Cheshire cat. He said, “My God...”

“Hold that thought, Julian. Give me LJ and get out of here before Luis comes home.” She shooed him out the back door as she heard Luis calling from the front door.

Julian whistled as he strolled back to the main house. Every aspect of standing in Sheridan’s kitchen was foreign to him, especially the brief connection between sister and brother. He considered his reactions. Alistair would see it as weakness. Suck it up. Never forget, this is the sister you tried to ‘off.’ He paused and braced his hand on the Gazebo railing as he walked near it. Bowing his head, he felt a wave of nausea. How could he have hired people to explode their boat? If Eve and Sheridan knew, he’d be dead to them. No, dead period. Luis would ... Julian pulled himself together. He would take this secret to his grave.

When Luis entered the kitchen, he lifted LJ from his infant seat. Sheridan pressed the microwave buttons and stepped around Luis to set the table. Luis held LJ with one arm and caught Sheridan around the waist with the other. “Hmm,” he said as he nuzzled her cheek. “You both smell like baby.”

Sheridan smiled up at him. He was so incredibly handsome. How had she ever denied the attraction when they first met? “Good day?” she asked. She moved away from him, preoccupied and not waiting for his answer. She placed the forks on the table and felt his eyes on her. “What?” she asked.

Luis’s instincts picked up on something about her. “You tell me,” he said.

Sheridan didn’t answer. Still stunned by Eve’s news, she couldn’t quite put it into words.

Luis thought the worst. “Has Julian been here?”

She nodded.

Luis flared, “I’ve had enough of his snooping around. The sooner we move off the estate, the better. I saw a two-bedroom rental in the paper this morning. We should take a look at it.”

Sheridan’s mind raced. For no reason she said, “Two bedroom.”

Luis took it the wrong way. Defensively, he declared, “That’s one I can afford on a cop’s salary.”

“Luis, I didn’t mean...”

He cut her off, “I know.” He reacted to the microwave timer before she did.

“I don’t want to fight with you, “she stated.

Luis exhaled. “You know, I’ll never be comfortable living here with your father’s obsession with LJ. It’s better to put some distance between us.”

Sheridan was realistic. “My father won’t be deterred by where we live. Besides, you’re the one who’s obsessing. He’s just enjoying his new grandson, and it threatens you. Give him the benefit of the doubt for once.”

Luis exploded. “Damn it, Sheridan. There is no doubt. Look at this.” He pulled an envelope from his pocket and slapped it down on the table.

Sheridan peered at it. “A letter to LJ? You opened it?” she quizzed.

“Geeze, LJ can’t open his own mail.”

Sheridan shifted her shoulders. She’d have to concede that point. “OK, what is it?”

“Your father has bestowed shares of Crane Enterprises on our son. LJ owns a significant percent of the company.”

“He’s only a baby,” Sheridan stated, taken back by her father’s move.

“Exactly. Your father should have cleared this with LJ’s parents. You don’t just gift holdings in a corporation to a child without his parents’ knowledge.”

Sheridan calmly stated the obvious. “You do if you’re Alistair Crane.”

Luis exhaled. Dealing with Alistair Crane’s power was daunting. Frustrated, he ruffled his fingers through his hair and mumbled, “How the hell did I get into this?”

Sheridan flared. “Oh, that’s the question.” She fled from the kitchen as the tears formed. She slammed the bedroom door and curled up on the bed. She heard LJ cry for a moment and then he was quiet. Luis could handle him. Suddenly she was exhausted, too tired to fight with Luis. Her eyes closed.

Later, she awoke when the mattress shifted under Luis’s weight. He sat in the curve of her waist. Her eyes fluttered open and met his. Quietly he said, “LJ’s down for the count. Would you like some dinner?”

Sheridan grinned sheepishly. Pregnancy was already revving up her appetite. “I’m famished.”

Luis said, “Stay right there. I’ll bring a tray for you.”

While he returned to the kitchen, Sheridan considered their disagreement. This was one more blow out in an argument that didn’t have a resolution. They argued, but they loved. She smiled softly. And they’d have another baby to love.

When Luis returned he noticed Sheridan’s blissful expression. He sat beside her and placed the tray on her lap. “Are you going to tell me now?”

She cocked her head. Her eyes danced. “Tell you?”

“Whatever it is you’ve been dying to tell me since I came in the door. We got side tracked.”

He knew her so well. Sheridan nibbled on a chicken finger. She said, “I think we should get married right away. Justice of the Peace style. No waiting for an annulment from the Church.”

Luis said, “Fine by me.”

She quizzed, “Is that enthusiasm?”

Luis gave her a sexy grin. “Do you need convincing?”

Sheridan rolled her eyes. When he looked at her that way, no wonder she was... “By the way, I’m pregnant.”

Luis froze. His eyes widened. Sheridan thoroughly enjoyed shocking him. She grinned almost maliciously, saying, “Gotcha!”

He asked, “You’re not kidding, right?”

She shook her head. “Confirmed by Doctor Russell today.”

Luis beamed. He moved the tray to the floor and brought her into his arms. Still awed he asked, “A baby?”

Sheridan replied, “Well, another baby. You’re OK with this?”

He shifted back and took both of her hands in his. “OK? How about the happiest I’ve ever been. What about you? You OK with so soon.”

Her eyes sparkled. “Umhmm. Couldn’t be happier. This is my dream, babies and more babies.”

Slowly, Luis began to unbutton her sweater. “I plan to make all your dreams come true.”

Sheridan teased him. “Do I detect a touch of egotism in that?”

Luis didn’t answer. His lips moved to her throat and downward as he peeled her sweater away, exposing the flesh he craved. A pleasured moan escaped Sheridan’s lips. When she was naked, lying beneath him, he spoke his love. “You amaze me, time and again.”

While Sheridan and Luis held each other, loved each other, Julian was alone. Melancholy was his emotion for the evening. He envied his sister, envied what she and Luis shared. After departing the warmth of Sheridan’s kitchen, the mansion was a contrast of cold solitude. Escaping, he chose to walk the town. When he reached the wharf, he noted the mist coming up from the water. It did nothing to improve his mood. He turned to back track home. A familiar form was barely visible down the railing. Was it Eve? Why would she be out here alone? Julian approached her, assuming she might be an apparition that would disappear just as he reached her.

As he neared her, there was no doubt it was Eve. Her shoulders shook as she sobbed. The sound ripped into Julian. When a board creaked under his tread, Eve whirled to face him. She cried out, “Julian,” and flew into his arms.

Julian braced himself, braced her. His hand rose to her back soothing her. His gentle, deep tones sounded. “Eve, Eve, whatever it is, tell me.”

She sobbed into his shoulder. Finally, she choked out, “TC drove Whitney away.” She broke down, crying almost hysterically. Julian should have been pleased. TC’s loss was his gain. But, he found no pleasure in Eve’s pain. She wept, “I can’t lose another child.” Her pain broke Julian completely.

He couldn’t speak. He began to rock her gently in his arms. He ached for her with every fiber of his being. Slowly, she regained some composure. She straightened up and wiped her nose with the handkerchief that Julian handed to her. Without speaking, they moved down the wharf. Julian’s arm was protectively around her shoulders. They never spoke, never agreed to go to the mansion. But, when they arrived there, Julian poured her a brandy. They sat silently on the leather sofa in his study. Not a word had passed between them in thirty minutes.

Julian’s silent presence calmed Eve. She didn’t have to rehash the details. She didn’t have to defend herself, or condemn TC. It was an incredible relief to share her burden with a man who wouldn’t question her or judge her. He was simply there for her. Eve raised her eyes to his face. His eyes reflected her despair and more, his love. It had never been stronger, and the depth of it, the pain of it, swept her away. Eve broke the silence when she moaned, “Oh, God.”

She rose from the sofa and paced the room. Julian watched her. Her heart raced as she admitted to herself that she wanted Julian to make love to her. He could make her forget TC tonight. She needed to be a woman desired, not a woman who was a failure as a wife and mother. Finally, she asked, “Where’s Rebecca?”

“I financed an extended trip to Europe. She’s, as they say, out of sight, out of mind, and out of the country. Wish it were a one-way ticket.”

In a voice dripping with sexual innuendo, Eve said, “Oh, Julian, you bad, bad boy.”

Julian reacted to her tone. She stood before him, a changed woman. She wasn’t the woman of the last half hour who pined for her lost children and torn marriage. She was Eve, the seductress. He wanted her, and he wouldn’t take her. He rose from the sofa and said, “I’ll take you home now.”

“Why?”

“The time isn’t right for us. If my past failings have taught me anything, it’s that taking advantage of a woman is only temporary satisfaction. I won’t do that to you. Not again.”

Eve understood that she was far too vulnerable tonight. She said, “You’ve become noble, Julian.”

“No, humble. I recognize what I don’t deserve.”