“Alright where is he?” Rebecca asked.
“Who?”

“Don’t play stupid with me Eve, Julian had to be here, he hasn’t been home very much lately.”

“I haven’t seen him Rebecca.”

“Yeah right, he is in love with you and when Julian wants something, he goes after it. You honestly don’t expect me to believe he will be faithful to me do you?”

“I told you I haven’t seen him and if you will excuse me, I have work to do.” Eve said.

“Eve, can I ask you, why is your hair such a mess, it looks awfully suspicious to me. Do you enjoy when Julian plays with it?” she said dryly.

“It was windy outside Rebecca.”

“Yeah right and I am six feet tall, anyway, you tell Julian that he better start making more appearances at the mansion or I will be forced to call your husband.”

“You can’t do that.” Eve said.

“Oh so you admit that you have been seeing Julian or rather sleeping with him?” she asked.

“No of course not, but you can’t tell T.C., you are getting what you want, he is marrying you and that’s all that counts.” Eve said.

“Yes he is and I will be better for Julian any day than you could ever be Eve. You couldn’t compare to my adventures in the bedroom. Julian wants it all the time and I am the only one who can truly satisfy a man like Julian Crane.”

“That’s what you think.” Eve said under her breath.

“What was that?”

“Nothing, I have to go Rebecca.”

“I am warning you Eve, tell him to start spending more time with me, he is overdue for a good sex romp and I am like a gymnast, he needs a flexible woman like me.” Rebecca said.

“I really don’t need the 411 on your sexual details Rebecca, I just ate my lunch.” She said smiling slightly.

“Please Eve, you know you can’t compare to me, you think that you are so wonderful and that you could offer Julian the world, but you can’t. Isn’t it unfortunate for you and Julian and very fortunate for me that you are married? And if you know what’s good for you, you will stay away from Julian, because believe me, when I bite, I bite.” She said grinning.

“Rebecca, I don’t have time for mind games, I am a doctor and I do have to work for a living, as for you, well, the only work you do is ring up Julian’s credit card bill, so would you please leave my office?”

“I don’t have to stand here and be insulted, I am leaving!” she said making her usual drama queen departure.

“I swear that woman should have been an actress.” Eve said.

Eve closed the door and was reading a file as she walked down the hall when she bumped into Luis.

“Hi there.”

“Hello Luis, is everything alright? Is it Sheridan?”

“Well Sheridan is the same right now, you know how it is.”

“Of course, what can I do for you?”

“I want to talk about Julian if you have a minute.” Luis said.

“Julian?”

“Yes, someone was saying that he is supposed to have turned over a new leaf but I am not buying it. He hadn’t been once to see his sister when she was in the hospital and that’s pretty ignorant.”

“Well Luis, he told me that he wanted to, but he didn’t think you would let him near her.”

“That’s just stupid!”

“Is it Luis?”

He looked at her curiously.

“All I am saying is that you hate Julian, in fact you hate the Crane’s period. But the truth is, I know that Julian has changed and he does care for Sheridan.”

“How do you know that, has he talked to you?”

“Yes he has, remember I am Sheridan’s doctor Luis so he has asked me about her.”

“Granted, to be honest, she did ask me if he was going to visit her at all. So I suppose I could put aside my differences for Julian if she wanted to see him, at least for the holidays. You know how much I love her Eve and I would do anything for the woman I love, even if she is married to my brother.”

“I know you love Sheridan, so why don’t you then? I think Julian would be very happy to spend time with Sheridan, its Christmas time, let them have a moment together, perhaps a resolution for the New Year?”

“Alright I will do it for Sheridan, if you talk to Julian again, tell him it’s okay then, but I don’t want him to upset her or pretend to care and abandon her, he is so great for that.”

Eve looked at Luis when he mentioned the word abandon and Julian in the same sentence. He was right about that, but she knew he had changed and knew it would be wonderful for Sheridan if he could prove his love for his sister. After Luis left, Eve called Julian’s cell, hoping to get him.

“Julian?”

“Oh hello my love, what can I do for you?”

“Listen Luis was here and he wants you to visit with Sheridan.”

“Luis, I’m sorry honey but are you sure we are talking about Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald?”

“I know it sounds crazy, but I think Sheridan needs you right now and he will let you see her.”

“Are you sure I won’t come back in a body bag?” he asked.

“Sweetie, no, do it for Sheridan.”

“Alright Eve, I will for my sister, anyway, how are you feeling?”

“Fine Julian, except for the fact that Rebecca came by to annoy me and to tell you to start spending more time with her basically.”

“Now she is coming to see you? God, I am going to kick that woman in the behind for being such a pain. How dare she bother you? Wait until I see her!” he said angrily.

“Leave it Julian, just forget about her and go see Sheridan.”

He sighed but agreed with her. Julian finished up his business for the day and went over to visit his sister. When he knocked on the door, Antonio answered, they had taken her home from the hospital to get her away from the setting for a bit.

“What do you want Crane?”

“Um, I am here to see Sheridan.”

“Why the hell would you bother? You never did before.”

“I was told she would like to see me and I do love her Antonio.”

“Yeah sure, alright, if she wants to see you, you can, but wait here.”

Julian stood in the doorway waiting patiently.

“Okay she will see you now, but don’t you dare hurt or upset her, I swear or you will be answering to me!” Antonio said firmly.

“I understand that Antonio and Luis basically said the same thing, so don’t worry.”

Julian entered her bedroom, where she was sitting in the chair.

“Julian!” she said getting up to give him a big hug.

“Oh Sheridan, how are you doing my dear?”

“I could be better, I suppose you heard about my baby?”

“Yes Sheridan, I am so sorry, is there anything I can do?”

“If you can bring my baby back, that would be great but father said it is hopeless.”

“Sweetie, come here.” He said sitting with her on the edge of the bed.

“Yes?”

“Antonio, would you mind giving us a few minutes alone?” Julian asked.

“No!”

“It is okay Antonio, I will be fine, and we need some time.” She said to him.

“Alright, but if you need me, I will be in the other room Sheridan.”

“Sheridan, I want to apologize to you.”

“Apologize Julian?”

“I have been the worst brother in history, I was selfish and rude, and I could go on forever what a nasty ass I was over the years. I am a poor excuse for a brother and I can’t change the past, but I want to change the future. I want to make up for lost time with you; I love and care about you so much Sheridan. I should have been there for you and it was wrong of me not to be. Truly, if there is anything I can do for you, you just have to name it. I will call you and visit you whenever you need me, anytime, night or day, I will be here, I will support you.”

“Oh Julian, do you really mean it? Because I need you in my life, I know we haven’t been close before, but I do still want you around if you have truly changed.”

“I have Sheridan, believe me, I really have. You are such a wonderful and loving and caring woman, nothing like the Crane’s at all, you are the exception and I want to truly learn from you, I have tried to be a better man and it’s difficult to prove it to others, but I want to. I am hated by so many people, I know Antonio and Luis hate me too.”

“I don’t know about that, they are just looking at your past.”

“I realize that and I can’t blame them for it Sheridan, but please believe me when I say I want to be the best brother I can be. Father may not be exactly the kindest man, but I want to be a Crane you can be proud of.”

“Actually father has been quite kind to me lately.”

“Oh I see, well, just be careful Sheridan.”

“Why Julian?”

“Well father tends to make promises he can’t keep and I was the same, like father like son. But what I am telling you now is the truth about how I feel. I will not let you down anymore and sure it sounds like I am talking a good game, but I won’t abandon you Sheridan, I promise you.”

“Julian, I actually do believe you, usually I could tell if you were being insincere with me, but you are not this time, your heart is truly coming through.”

“I bet you didn’t think I had one did you? Julian said.

“Well, no, I didn’t, but I am glad you came by. I was feeling so depressed, I mean Antonio and Luis have been great supporters, but you are my brother and I need you too.”

“I am here my dear, I am not going anywhere, and I swear it.” He said touching her cheek.

She stared at him for a moment, her eyes suddenly becoming full of tears.

“Oh Sheridan.” He said sympathetically.

“Julian I…”

She couldn’t finish the sentence as tears ran down her face uncontrollably. Julian pulled her to him, hugging her tightly.

“It’s going to be okay, I am here for you, and I love you Sheridan.”

“I love you too Julian.” She said her head on his shoulder.

Antonio opened the door when he heard her crying.

“I told you not to upset her!”

“I didn’t Antonio.”

“Then why the hell is she crying?” he said angrily.

“Antonio, it’s okay, Julian didn’t do anything wrong, he is just being here for me. Everything is fine; please let us have some privacy.”

He looked at him skeptically, but agreed and shut the door again.

“I know this is a tough time for you.” He said wiping away a tear with a Kleenex.

“It is Julian, I lost my baby, my dear sweet baby, if you only you knew what it was like to lose a child.” Sheridan said, wiping her makeup, which had smeared below her eyes.

Julian wanted so much to tell her about his baby with Eve, but he decided to wait at this point.

“Julian, I am a bit tired right now.”

“Okay Sheridan, would you like me to come back another day?”

“Would you, I want to continue talking.”

“Of course.”

He helped her get into bed and pulled the covers over her.

“Are you warm enough, did you need another blanket?” he asked.

“Yes please, could you grab me one from the closet?”

“Okay.”

He put it over her.

“You have a sleep now and if you need me, call me Sheridan.”

“Julian?” she said taking his hand.

“Yes?”

“Thank you.”

“For what dear?”

“For being my brother.”

“Anytime sweetheart, anytime.” He said kissing her on the cheek.

Julian shut the door and Antonio glared at him, he knew it would take him a long time to trust Julian, but he was okay with that. When he arrived back at the mansion, he had a smile on his face, very pleased that he had been able to see her.