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Chapter Six- Don't Cry For Us
 

Theresa held her mother’s hand. "Mama do you need anything?" She questioned.
Pilar shook her head, "No, thank you dear." She whispered.
Theresa nodded and looked over at Chad, Miguel, , Sam and Grace, "Are any of you hungry?"
"Theresa we are fine, don’t worry about us." Sam sighed.
She nodded, "Is Hank coming tonight?" She asked.
"Yes, he should be here soon." Sam told her.
"And the will is being read here?" Miguel questioned.
"As soon as Ivy and Julian come." Grace said looking over at Sam.
They stood in Theresa’s home, they all felt it was best they meet there.
Mr. Tyler , Sheridan’s lawyer sat in a chair away from them watching the family.
Hank opened the door to the house and walked in, Julian and Ivy following behind him, without a word they took a seat near Chad.
"If we’re all ready, " Mr. Tyler started, "I have a video here."
"A video?" Miguel cut in.
He nodded, "Yes your brother and his wife made a video will a few months ago, after Matthew was born."
Miguel nodded, " Oh Ok."
After arranging the TV The video started to play, Chad moved over next to Theresa and gripped her hand.

As the images of a happy Sheridan and Luis came on the screen.
Sitting together they smiled at the camera,
"Ready Sher?" Luis asked smiling.
"Luis this is serious." Sheridan scolded.
Luis nodded, " Hello everyone, I’m assuming if your watching this, we’re dead."
"Luis, do you have to put it like that?" Sheridan asked nudging him.
"Sorry. First of all Theresa as you know, we are trusting you with our most prized possessions. Our Children. Take them and raise them as Mama did us. Make them strong and smart, loving and caring, We trust you with our babies, teach them of us and our love. Let them know Mommy and Daddy loved them more than anything, Theresa, let Matthew and Kendra see that love never dies." Luis sadly said.
Sheridan wiped a tear. " Theresa, you are a strong young woman, teach my angels to fight for what they believe in like we have, Cherish the moments you spend with them. I trust that you will Help Kendra become a woman who is strong and dependent on herself, and Help Matthew be the man his father is, brave, and tough, but soft and gentle. Theresa, we love you, and we thank you for being a bright spot in our lives.
Luis stared at the Camera, "Miguel, my little brother, We are leaving you enough money to make your dreams come true, You always loved the youth center when it was tore down I know how it hurt you., now we want you to build one that everyone will enjoy. Finish college little bro, teach my boy how to be a man, and watch out for my little girl when those boys come calling. Take care of mama Miguel, And find a love that is real.
Sheridan smiled into the camera, "Miguel, Thank you for everything, I hope the youth center you create will last for years to come, be strong, and help your sister with my babies.
"Mama, our house, our car, it is yours. You won’t ever have to worry about money again, we made sure of that. I love you Mama, don’t cry for me, Remember all we we’re and hang on to the good times, Thank you for making me the man I am, watch over my children mama. You are my hero, always remember that. " Luis said trying not to cry.
"Pilar you’ve been a mother to me, I love you and I thank you for everything. Be strong Pilar, and know we love you so much. " Sheridan choked out. She then forced a smile.
"Ivy, please keep our charity’s going, I’ve left funds for each of them. Help Resa with the babies, thank you for being a friend to me. I love you Ivy.. Julian, my dear brother, I leave you memories what few we have. And a request. Julian, make things right with the people of Harmony, let your heart be softened so my children have a uncle they look up to. Tell my children of my youth, only you can do that Julian. Please don’t let me down. I love you brother, I love you so much. And I know you love me too. Be strong Julian. "
Luis held a sobbing Sheridan’s hand. "Chad, we talked about a program for children without parents, and single parent children, Chad, you now have the money to help them, I ask that you start the summer camp that we talked about, keep it going, and be a big brother to all of those children."
Sheridan nodded, " Chad, I’m sorry I didn’t get to know you better, you we’re my nephew for a short time, but I love you, you and Jada both, let her and Kendra grow up together, two strong Crane women, we need that Chad. Your a strong young man, Help hold Theresa’s hand through the hard times, thank you for being in my life. "
"Hank and Sam, we leave the police department enough money to work with for awhile, Thank you for being my friends, I love you both. Hank, Man, I’m giving you our basketball, whenever you play think of me. I’m also leaving you with all our childhood pictures and memories I have. You’ll find them in my bedroom. I love you man, hang tough and strong, and one day you’ll find true love."
Sheridan wiped a tear, " We have video taped messages for each one of you, a private video you may watch when you want. Theresa, we have all our family video’s in my closet, please let the children watch them. I’ve explained more in my video. We love you all." Sheridan said blowing a kiss.
"We love you, don’t cry for us everyone. Instead smile for us and show our children a world of happiness and peace." Luis said smiling.
"Cut it off now." Luis told Sheridan.
"Luis its still on." She laughed.
 

Finally it went blank and everyone in the room wiped tears from their eyes.
"Theresa, the children also have a trust fund set up, and Sheridan made it clear you wouldn’t have to worry ever about your finances. "
Theresa nodded as Chad put his arm around her and she laid he head on his shoulder. Her tears fell like rain drops, as she looked at a blank Pilar.
"What are you all crying about? They’ll be back." Pilar said weakly. "They will come back soon. You’ll see."
Miguel wiped a tear and looked at his mother, "Why don’t you rest now Mama, Its been a long day." He told her.
"I won’t live in that house, its Luis’s. They’ll be back. " She said again standing up.
Miguel nodded, "Its OK mama, Just go lie down in The guest room." He told her.
Grace stood up, "I’ll go with her." She said taking Pilar’s hand.
Hank looked over at Sam, "It doesn’t seem real."
Sam nodded, "No it doesn’t. But we must do what they asked of us. We must honor their wishes."
Julian stood up and looked over at Sam, "Perhaps I should start."
Sam gave him a stare and spoke, "What do you mean Julian?"
"My sister is right, I’ve been a selfish petty man. I think perhaps its time That I make things right. First with you, then with your friend, T.C. Shall we work together to honor my sister and her husband? Will you let me help you make Harmony a better place for her children?" He asked reaching his hand out to Sam.
Sam took his hand and shook it, "Yes Julian, of course I will."
Theresa looked at Chad, "They looked so happy, so alive. They trust me so much. How can I raise those kids like they would have? I can never be a parent like Sheridan, She was the best mother. "
Chad patted her arm. "You have to be who you are, you can’t try to be Sheridan, she is with them Resa, watching over them, you just do the best you can, and we will all help you out."
Theresa nodded, "I just want them back here. Smiling again, holding the kids and loving each other. I’d give anything to have that." She sighed.
Someone knocked on Theresa’s door and Hank stood up, "I’ll get it."
He walked to the door and opened it. " Ethan?" He questioned.
Ethan walked into the house, " I’m so glad everyone is here, I have something I need to say, And it can’t wait." He said staring at the crowd of people.