Chapter 15-Define Date

Theresa finished braiding Kendra’s hair and smiled, "All ready."
"A whole day with Jada? Do we really get to go to the park and everything?" Kendra questioned.
"Yelp. Jada and her daddy are going to spend the whole day with us."
"Cool! Chad’s so neat." Kendra cooed.
"You really like him don’t you?" Theresa asked as Kendra turned around and smiled.
"Yeah. He’s real cool."
Theresa smiled, "Yeah he is pretty cool. Now you run upstairs make sure you haven’t forgotten anything."
The little girl giggled. "I’ll be right back."
Theresa looked over at Matthew who was sleeping sound. "Yeah you’ll sleep now, but tonight you’ll be wide awake huh little guy." She smiled.
Sitting down her couch she looked at the book in front of her, "Baby’s first year." She said out loud. "Now why haven’t I read this yet." She sighed.
"Because those book’s ain’t worth nothing." Chad’s voice echoed.
Theresa turned around and smiled, "Chad, Jada, you made it."
Chad nodded, looking at Theresa’s dark brown hair, pulled neatly in a ponytail he smiled. Her light pink top looked nice with her jeans he thought, looking back into her dark eyes. "The door was open." He smiled.
"Yeah, Ivy left a while ago, and I guess I never shut it." She explained.
"Well, where’s Kenji at?" Chad questioned.
"She’ll be down in a second. Jada, you look very cute." Theresa said with a smile. The little girl’s hair was loose all over her head curl’s falling everywhere a small white bow held up few strands on the side.
"Thank you. Did you see what Grandpa gave me.?" Jada asked grinning.
"Grandpa?" Theresa asked looking back up at Chad.
"Yeah Julian stopped by. Just wait till you hear this one." He laughed.
"Jada!" Kendra’s voice sounded from the stairs."
Kendra ran down to Jada and the both giggled together as Theresa picked up Matthew and things. "I believe we’re ready." She told Chad, as he took Matthew’s bag.
"Then away we go lady’s." He laughed leading everyone out the door.
 

~*~*~*~
 

Julian sat in his study, debating on watching his tape. "Sheridan would you want me to watch it now?" He questioned.
Finally he hit play on the remote that sat in his hand. Taking a deep breath, he watched as the tape began to play.

Sheridan sat in a red dress alone. "Julian, Luis wanted to say a few things, but I wanted to talk to you alone. If your watching this, I must be gone. Somehow I never saw it this way but I suppose life is just that way. Brother, I love you very much. Please don’t forget that. I remember as a child, you would sometimes play with me, until someone saw you of course, then you would become Julian Crane again. But I lived for those moments that you were my brother, and not just the eldest Crane. I have a few things to ask you Julian, they shouldn’t shock you, but I must ask anyway. First, be a true uncle to my babies. I believe in you more than you’ll ever know. Second, Julian I want you to take time to stop being a Crane, and just be human. This may sound harsh, but I believe you could do a lot of people, if you just tried. Show people the love you showed me on those brief moments you’d stop to play chase with me. Start with Chad. Yes your son Chad. Your other children are so distance from you, talk to them, that will be a very slow work, but with Chad, you have a chance. He’s a good man, and will be loyal to you if you drop your strong act. Let him see you for who you really are. Julian your a grandfather, to a little girl that is not only beautiful but so full of life. Julian show love and you will receive love. I love you now and always, Kendra and Matthew are lucky to have you as a uncle. I have always been proud of you, but Julian, I’d love nothing more to have you become strong on your own. Away from father’s hold. Oh, Julian how I hate good-byes. Brother, let those chain’s fall from your heart, and love will find you. Bye Julian. " Luis walked into the room and smiled, "Well Julian, You know from day one we’ve never got along. But I do ask you to watch out for my kids, you are after all their uncle. I’ve saw something in you from time to time Julian. Something that proved to me you could be a normal person with real feelings. Show that person to my kids. Bye Julian. "
"Goodbye brother. Take care." Sheridan repeated blowing a kiss to the camera as it went blank.

"My lady in red." Julian said his my floating in past and present. A tear trickled down his face as he sighed. "Goodbye Sheridan my love." He whispered as a soft hand sat on his shoulder.
"Sher?" He questioned turning around.
"No, I just wanted to check on you."
"Ivy, I’m glad your here." He said looking up at his wife., tears falling from both their faces.
Ivy smiled, "So am I." She repeated as he put his hand over hers.

~*~*~*~

"So you ran into Gwen today? That must have been odd." Chad said looking at Theresa. She nodded and looked at the girls, running around the park playing. Then her eyes went to Matthew, who cooed holding his Teething Ring. They we’re sitting on a blanket, under a tree, perfect place to relax Chad had told her and Theresa had to agree it was.
"Gwen was really nice. "
"Glad to hear that. That’s still as odd as Julian coming by the house. I mean weird stuff’s happening everywhere I guess." Chad laughed.
"I think its wonderful, Julian trying to play a role in your life." She smiled.
"Yeah, Its just strange. I don’t know how to handle it ya know?"
"My advice? If Julian wants to get close to you, don’t shut him out. You have a chance at having your father Chad. " She sighed.
"Your a smart lady Theresa, you know that?" He grinned.
"Well, I have been told that a time or two." She laughed.
"I don’t know it just seems like suddenly he wants in my life, and its hard for me to just let him in."
Theresa shrugged. "If papa came back today, I’d be so glad to see him. No questions asked."
"Yeah, guess that would be good for ya."
"Papa’s gone. For whatever reason he’s gone, and I never really knew him. It just always seemed unfair. Not just for me, but for Luis, having to step into that role. " Her voice trailed at the thought of Luis, "And now I’ve got his kids. Strange how these things happen."
"But look how you and Miguel turned out. Great people. Luis did well, and so will you Resa." Chad told her.
"I just think of what it was like for me, not having papa around, and I hurt for Kenji and Matt. And poor Miguel has stepped in to Luis’s role. I don’t know. Maybe I’m just complaining to much." She sighed.
Chad smiled, "You? Never. You’re going to do great with those kids. And you’ve got so much help."
Theresa nodded, "Yeah I do. Speaking of help, I’ve gotta find a babysitter for Next Saturday night. I have this dinner party to attend." She said with a frown.
"I’m sure you’ll find someone to watch the kids. I’ll do it if I’m not busy."
Theresa smiled, "But you are busy. Because your going with me."
Chad grinned, "I am?"
She nodded, "If your not busy that is."
Chad smiled, "Nope, not busy at all."