JSP's Shuis Achives | home
Chapter 13
Sheridan hurried to the door when she heard the knocking. “That must be Luis” she said excitedly as she headed towards the door to let him inside. Today was Thanksgiving and she was spending the entire day with him and nothing could have made her happier.
“Brr” Sheridan said covering her arms when she opened the door for Luis.
“What kind of a greeting is that?” Luis said, feigning hurt in his voice.
“I'm sorry Luis” Sheridan said shivering as she closed the door. “But it's cold outside.”
“I know” he grinned. “That's why I brought you this to put on underneath your jacket.” Luis held out a dark red sweatshirt for her with “Harmony Hellcats” written across the front with a figure of a wildcat in football gear underneath the name and the number 96 on the back.
“How sweet” Sheridan grinned taking the sweatshirt from him. “Luis, it's just like the one you're wearing” she noted as she compared the two shirts, “except yours looks newer.” She chuckled slightly. The shirt she had obviously had been around for awhile.
“There's a reason for that Sheridan” Luis smirked. “You see, that sweatshirt was mine when I was in high school” he said. “I wore it all the time. It's my number on the back as well. They considered retiring it when I graduated, but I told them I thought that was silly.”
“Luis, that is so sweet of you” Sheridan smiled. She was touched beyond words at how wonderful this man really was.
“I had a new shirt made with the same number. If you'd rather have this one, that's no problem” he offered.
“No!” Sheridan said quickly, holding the sweatshirt protectively. “I want to wear this one. It'll make me feel closer to you.” She laughed slightly, thinking she must sound like an idiot but Luis didn't seem to think that at all.
“I love you, you know” he leaned in towards her with a wide grin.
Sheridan smiled and gently kissed his waiting lips. “I'm going to go put this sweatshirt on” she said when she parted from the kiss. Luis smiled as he watched her retreat to her bedroom. She was only gone a minute and when she returned she was wearing his old sweatshirt over a white turtleneck and a pair of jeans.
“Wow! I've never seen that sweatshirt look so good.” Luis grinned appreciatively.
“Thank you” Sheridan said blushing.
“So, are you ready to spend your first Thanksgiving, Lopez Fitzgerald style?” Luis asked with a glint in his eye.
“You'll never know how ready” Sheridan beamed. “I have a feeling this is going to be a Thanksgiving I can really be thankful for. When I was in Paris, I barely remember Thanksgiving and the few memories I have of it as a child were about as cold as it is outside.”
“Well” Luis said gathering Sheridan up in her arms, “this is going to be a day of thanks for me too. I'm be thankful till the day I die that you're in my life.”
Sheridan smiled. “As am I.” Luis leaned in and kissed Sheridan sweetly on the lips. He meant it to be only a quick peck, but as happened to them often, the kiss lasted much longer. Sheridan finally was the one to reluctantly pull away.
“Now the last time you took me to a ball game, you taught me about the game the night before” Sheridan grinned slyly.
Luis chuckled. “Yeah, I remember. I gave you a private lesson in how to play basketball.”
Sheridan blushed when Luis wriggled his eyebrows suggestively.
“I remember only too well” she laughed.
**Flashback**
“Okay teach” Sheridan smiled, walking out onto the basketball court of the Youth Center wearing a t-shirt and pair of sweat pants. “I'm ready for you to show me how this game is played.”
“All right” Luis grinned, lobbing a ball towards Sheridan, which she caught awkwardly. He walked over to the side of the court and stripped off his shirt and sweat pants leaving him clad in only a pair of athletic shorts. Sheridan's eyes about bugged out of her head when she saw his ensemble.
“You're wearing that?” Sheridan asked in shock, staring at his muscular torso with extreme appreciation.
“Sure, why not?” Luis asked noticing the look on her face and finding it highly amusing.
“No reason” Sheridan laughed. “Okay, show me what you've got.”
“Hey, I'm supposed to say that to you” Luis kidded.
“Sorry” Sheridan blushed. “Okay, where do we start?”
Luis nodded and walked over to Sheridan and guided her to the center of the court. “We're going to play a game of one on one” Luis began. The object if the game is to see who can score the most points. You have to try to keep me from scoring and vice versa.”
“So I'm supposed to try to get the ball into the net and then prevent you from doing the same?” Sheridan asked.
Luis laughed slightly. “Well, basically that's it. Now, you can have the ball first. But you can't hold onto the ball when you're trying to score. You have to dribble it. Like this.” Luis took the ball from her and demonstrated, ending his demonstration by tossing the ball into the basket with ease.
“I see” Sheridan said watching him. “That doesn't look too tough.”
“Want to try it?” He asked with a cockeyed grin.
“Try and stop me” Sheridan smirked. She had a feeling this was going to be a lot of fun. If nothing else, she certainly had nice scenery. She fought off a wider grin, trying to keep herself from being distracted by Luis' very enticing appearance.
Sheridan began dribbling the ball and Luis guarded Sheridan at a distance. As she concentrated on the ball, Sheridan ran smack into Luis. “Luis, you're in my way” she said.
“That's the idea Sheridan” he smiled. “I'm guarding you. I'm trying to prevent you from scoring.”
“Really?” Sheridan giggled. Something she wanted to do desperately was score. “Okay. Prevent me!” Sheridan took off again with the ball and escaped from Luis. She aimed at the net and scored her first basket.
“Great!” Luis clapped when Sheridan dunked the ball. “Now it's my turn to score” he grinned.
“That's what you think” Sheridan laughed as she ran to Luis and blocked his path. Luis turned and dribbled the ball in the other direction, but Sheridan seemed to be a natural and was in front of him in no time, again, blocking his shot.
“Sheridan, what are you doing?” Luis asked when he found Sheridan's hands all over his chest.
“I'm trying to prevent you from scoring” She said innocently.
“Don't get me wrong angel” Luis said, his eyes filled with a combination amusement and desire, “I love having you touch me, but hand checking is against the rules.”
“It is?” Sheridan asked, her blue eyes looking naïvely into his big brown ones.
Luis nodded, a smile etched on his face.
“Is this against the rules as well?” She asked. Sheridan grabbed the ball from Luis and before he knew what hit him, she'd dribbled the ball to the net and scored another basket.
“I'll get you for that” Luis laughed.
“That's what I'm counting on” Sheridan shot back mischievously.
**End Flashback**
“If we survived that encounter we can survive just about anything” Luis laughed.
“So why didn't you teach me how to play football?” Sheridan asked.
“Football can get a little rough, Angel” Luis commented.
“I don't know, I wouldn't mind tackling you” Sheridan grinned.
Luis laughed. “Be careful what you wish for Angel” Luis said. “After Thanksgiving dinner we usually go to Lighthouse Park for a game of touch football. I could let you tackle me once or twice.”
“Don't think I won't Lopez-Fitzgerald” Sheridan smiled impishly. “For some reason, I've had a one track mind lately.”
“You too, huh?” Luis grinned. “Thirty days from today Sheridan. Only thirty days until you become my wife.”
“Oh Luis, I can't wait” Sheridan said, throwing her arms around his neck.
“Neither can I baby” Luis whispered, holding her tightly. He inhaled deeply and her heavenly scent assaulted his senses. He knew he'd better pull away now or he might not have the strength to do it in a few minutes. Keeping his hands off his beautiful fiancée was becoming increasingly difficult.
“Time to go Angel or we'll miss the kick off” Luis said. He grabbed Sheridan's jacket and helped her on with it. Once that task was accomplished, Sheridan and Luis headed out the door for the annual Thanksgiving football game, The Harmony Hellcats vs. The Castleton Cougars.
*****************
“Are you sure you want to do this Jay?” Scott asked, uncertain if this was really Jay's cup of tea.
“I'm sure” she smiled. “I think this is really nice of you to do.”
Scott returned her smile and clasped his hand around hers as they walked together into the West San Diego Mission.
“Scott!” a rosy-cheeked elderly woman greeted. She wiped her hands on her apron and hugged Scott warmly.
“”Happy Thanksgiving Anna” Scott grinned. “I'd like you to meet someone very special to me. Jay Jordan, this is Anna Livingston.”
The two women exchanged pleasantries and Anna gave Jay a scrutinizing gaze. “I approve, Scott” she said after a moment's contemplation.
Scott chuckled. “Thanks Anna. That means a lot to me.”
Jay watched the interaction between Scott and Anna with great curiosity, but her train of thought was cut short when she was ushered into the kitchen by Anna.
“Wow!” Jay exclaimed as she watched the assembly line of people preparing the Thanksgiving feast. “How many people are you planning on serving?” She asked.
“We're expecting around 500 this year” Anna said proudly. “We don't just offer a meal to the homeless or down and out, but also to those who might not have anyone to spend the day with. There are many elderly people in the area that have no one. It's a shame for them to stay home and eat a frozen TV dinner, so we invite those who will come, to join us.”
“That's really nice” Jay said nodding approvingly. “It is a shame for anyone to spend the holidays alone. Especially this one.”
“I'm glad you approve” Scott said. He was about to say something else, but hesitated. Jay noticed.
“What?” She asked gently. “You looked like you were about to say something else?”
“Oh, it's nothing” Scott said, waving his hand in a dismissive fashion and chuckling with a slightly nervous tone. He thought for a moment he could tell her, but now wasn't the time he decided.
“Are you sure?” Jay inquired. Her tone was soft. She now knew for sure there was something on his mind and hoped he would open up to her. Jay had a feeling for a few weeks now that Scott was holding back… That there was something about himself that he wasn't telling her.
“Positive” Scott assured her.
Anna raised a brow. She realized at that moment that Scott hadn't told Jay.
“Scott, I have some boxes out back I need some help bringing inside. Do you think you could help me for a few minutes?”
“Sure Anna” Scott agreed readily, grateful for the distraction.
“Jay, Jimmy over there could probably use some help” she smiled, pointing to a young man placing silverware and glasses on trays.
“Sure thing Anna” Jay returned. She smiled at the two and left to help Jimmy with his task of putting trays together.
Scott followed Anna outside to where the boxes of fresh milk and rolls had been dropped off a short while earlier.
“Scott Mayne, you haven't told your girlfriend, have you?” Anna accused, watching his reaction carefully.
Scott sighed. “No Anna, I haven't” Scott admitted.
“For pity sake, why not?” She asked in confusion.
“There are very few people that know, Anna. There's you, Ben and my doctor. That's it.”
“Scott, it's not a crime you know” Anna told him.
“I know that” Scott replied. “I just don't feel like having to answer any questions.”
“How serious are you with this young lady?” Anna asked.
Scott's face turned into a roguish grin. “I can't remember ever feeling this way about a woman before.”
Anna smiled. “You're in love with her aren't you?”
“In love with her?” Scott asked in surprise.
“I hadn't really thought about it in those terms before” Scott answered honestly.
“Has she invited you to meet her family yet?” Anna asked.
“No, she hasn't” Scott laughed. His expression then turned more serious. “Actually she probably would have if they lived here. All her family lives back East.”
“It's time Scott” Anna said matter-of-factly. “Face it. If you plan to make a future with this young lady then you need to tell her about your past.”
“I'll think about it” Scott agreed reluctantly. He then turned his attention to the cartons of milk. “I think I'd better get this milk inside before it spoils” he said changing the subject. He then picked up several cases of milk and walked back into the mission.
*****************************
“That was fun!” Sheridan laughed as she and Luis walked down the bleacher steps. “The Hellcats won 31-20 and Miguel looked great out there.”
“He sure did” Luis said proudly. “He scored three touchdowns today. He almost tied my record.”
“Almost?” Sheridan asked inquisitively, as she linked her arm in Luis' and snuggled close to him.
“Yeah, One Thanksgiving game I scored five touchdowns. It really wasn't a good game though. It was too easy. The cougars had a lousy team that year. We won that game 48-3. It wasn't even a contest.”
“Still, five touchdowns seems to be an awful lot for one person, Luis” Sheridan said in awe. “I would love to have seen you play in school.”
Luis smiled at her. “Someday I'll play just for you Angel” he said with a devilish grin. “And I guarantee you, you can help me score.”
Sheridan's cheeks would have turned crimson from his suggestion if they already weren't red from the cold wind that was blowing during the game.
“Well, that's one game I definitely won't miss then” she responded with a glint in her eyes. “As a matter of fact, I can't wait.”
“Come on you” Luis laughed, pulling Sheridan as close to him as he could and still walk. “It's time to go see Mama. I hope you like crowds, because I think she's cooking for half of Harmony.”
“That's what Marianna told me this morning” Sheridan grinned. “She was up at the crack of dawn so she could go help your mother with dinner. I offered to go with her, but she assured me everything was under control.”
“Yep” Luis said. “Aunt Maria is there as well as Marianna. Then there is Grace Bennett and Eve Russell too.”
“The Bennett's and the Russell's will be there as well?” Sheridan asked, pleased that she knew the families that would be there.
“Like I said, Mama is cooking for half of Harmony” Luis joked.
When Luis and Sheridan arrived in the parking lot they saw Buzzy walking with his arm proudly wrapped around his son Todd's shoulders. Todd was one of the youngest players on the team, but it didn't stop him from being one of the best.
“Way to go Todd!” Luis yelled through cupped hands across the parking lot.
“Thanks Luis!” Todd called back. He and his father waved happily.
“Oh Luis, can we go say hello to Tammy?” Sheridan pleaded when she saw Alfred, Robert and Tammy Kralik heading towards their car.
“Of course we can” Luis answered as they headed in that direction.
“And how is Miss Pricilla Standish doing today?” Sheridan asked with a sparkle in her eye as she smiled at the tiny curly haired angel.
“Sheridan!” Tammy squealed with delight. She ran from her father right into Sheridan's arms. Sheridan picked her up and kissed her cheek.
“Hi Luis” Tammy smiled shyly as Sheridan returned her to the ground.
“Good day, Miss Pricilla” Luis greeted formally, bowing to her. Tammy giggled at his gesture.
“Thank you for coming to see my play last night” Tammy said enthusiastically.
“It was our pleasure Tammy” Sheridan smiled. “You know, I have to tell you, you were the best Pricilla Standish I've ever seen.”
“Do you really think so?” Tammy asked beaming.
“Sheridan's right” Luis nodded. “You were awesome.” He gave her a thumbs up sign and winked.
“Daddy! Grandfather! Luis said I was awesome as Pricilla!” Tammy shouted to her father and grandfather proudly.
“He's right!” Alfred Kralik returned with a grin. Robert echoed his father's sentiment.
“Sheridan, are you coming on the hayride tonight?” Tammy asked.
“Hayride?” Sheridan asked. This was the first she'd heard of it.
“Yeah, it's sort of a Harmony tradition. A bunch of the farmers get together Thanksgiving night and give all the kids hayrides. I think it started years ago, before Nintendo, football or MTV.”
“That long ago?” Sheridan laughed. She then turned to Tammy. “Sweetie, I think its just for the children. I'm sure those horses wouldn't want to pull someone as big as me around.”
“Actually Sheridan, anyone can go” Luis told her. “I went a few years ago with Theresa and Miguel.”
Tammy's eyes lit up. “Sheridan, will you go?” She asked, her eyes pleading.
Sheridan saw the look in Tammy's eyes and then looked over at Luis. He was already grinning.
“I was actually going to surprise you later by taking you on the ride. There's a big bonfire afterwards and hot cider for everyone.”
“It sounds wonderful” Sheridan said excitedly.
“Yay!” Tammy cheered. “Sheridan's going!”
“And so is Luis” Sheridan said impishly.
“Oh, the things I can think of to do on a hayride” he whispered in Sheridan's ear.
Sheridan's jaw dropped. She couldn't control her laughter or her reaction to his suggestive statement. “Behave, there are children present” she whispered back. Despite her answer to Luis, she too was thinking about the different things she would love to be doing on a hayride.
******************************
“That was a lot of fun” Jay commented, once she and Scott were safely in the car on the way back to Los Angeles.
“I'm glad you enjoyed yourself,” Scott said. “I wasn't sure… I thought you might think I was… I don't know, strange maybe.”
“Why? For helping out people less fortunate than yourself?” Jay asked. “I'd never think that. I think what you do there is fantastic. Who knows when it could be anyone of us in that situation. Don't they say that most Americans are only two paychecks away from the streets?”
“Something like that” Scott said thoughtfully.
“Well, you'll find that what I normally do on Thanksgiving is far less noble” Jay said with a wry chuckle.
“You do what you're supposed to do” Scott said. “You celebrate the holiday with family and friends.”
“Well, friends these days” Jay replied. “But I am thankful to have the good friends that I do. Mike and Heather were the first friends I met after moving to this area and they've remained good friends. I've spent every Thanksgiving with them for the past five years. Well, at least part of it. There were a few times I had to work, but I'd always manage to stop in for coffee and dessert on those nights.”
They rode for a while in silence. Scott's mind was at warped speed with questions he wanted to ask, but he knew if he asked the questions, Jay was bound to respond with some of her own. He turned and stole a few glances at her sideways while he drove, thinking about what his friend Anna had said to him earlier in the day.
Jay caught Scott glancing at her and found herself becoming a little self conscious.
“What?” She finally asked, laughing slightly.
Scott blushed from getting caught. “Nothing really” he smirked. “I was just thinking about some things.”
“Penny for your thoughts?”
“Only a penny?” Scott asked with an impish grin.
“I see, you're a wise guy” Jay replied good-naturedly.
`Here goes' Scott said to himself. “I was just thinking about you. Wondering what kinds of things you did when you were younger, what it was like living in the cold, you know, things like that” Scott suddenly felt panicked and decided to stop. “I'm sorry I shouldn't have asked.” Not wanting Jay to see his severe reaction, he turned his full attention back to his driving and gripped the steering wheel hard.
Jay smiled. `Why shouldn't he ask?' she thought. She placed her hand on Scott's leg. “You can ask me anything you want, Scott.” Suddenly she was as nervous as Scott appeared to be.
Scott's skin under his jeans was burning from her touch and his breathing was becoming ragged. How is it that this woman managed to get to him in ways he never dreamed of? His entire life as he knew it was being turned upside down and he was powerless to stop it. Then again, did he want to stop it?
“Okay” he said, hiding his nervousness. “Tell me, what kinds of things did you do on Thanksgiving as a child?” He turned and smiled briefly at Jay.
Jay sighed in relief. “What did I do on Thanksgiving as a child” she repeated. “All right, you asked for it” she laughed. Jay was more than happy to share her childhood experiences with Scott, because this was really the only thing the two hadn't talked about, at least that's what she thought. She knew all about Scott's life from the time he went to college and started his electronics store, but he'd never told her word one about his life before that. She'd told him bits and pieces of her life, but nothing substantial and he hadn't asked. This was definitely a step in the right direction. Maybe someday soon, they both would be able to open up to each other about everything in their lives.
For the rest of the drive from San Diego to Beverly Hills, Jay filled Scott in on some of the details of her childhood in Maine. Jay always thought she had a pretty drab existence, but Scott listened with such interest, she felt as if she'd had the most special childhood anyone could have.
`That's one of the things I love most about him, the way he makes me feel so special.' Jay thought after she'd finished telling him her life's story.
Jay almost froze in her seat when the realization of what she just thought hit her. Did she just think about Scott and love together? Was it possible? Was she in love with Scott?
***********************************
Luis held Sheridan's chair for her as she sat down at the table for Thanksgiving dinner. She smiled at him approvingly. Sheridan glanced around her in total awe. Never had she shared in a holiday feast or any other celebration for that matter with so many people that loved and cared about one another. She chuckled to herself when she imagined any one in her family joining them; the china wasn't bone, nor was there enough of the same pattern so there were several styles at the table. No, this definitely wasn't a table set for royalty, but as far as Sheridan was concerned, what it lacked in pompous formality it more than made up for in genuine kindness and love.
This is what life was all about. Spending time with the man she loved and his family, being surrounded by good friends and sharing a wonderful meal and conversation on this truly American holiday. A sly grin appeared on her face when she imagined several small children running around the table followed closely by herself and Luis. She could see it so clearly and hoped and prayed someday her vision would actually come to be. Having children with Luis, the man she loved more than anything would make her life complete.
Sheridan came out of her reverie when she felt a hand on her shoulder.
“Where were you just now Angel” Luis asked. “You were a million miles away.”
Sheridan blushed slightly. “I was just imagining several small children running around this table,” she answered.
A toothy grin appeared on Luis' face. “Our children?” He asked.
Sheridan nodded her head, her eyes smiling.
“It's going to happen Angel,” he said. “Very soon, I promise.” Luis kissed her tenderly on the cheek. “How many?”
“How many?” Sheridan asked in surprise.
“Yeah, how many do you want?” He asked again with a playful grin.
“As many as God gives us” she smiled back. “And I hope he gives us an entire house filled with them.”
“I was hoping you'd say that” Luis winked.
Sheridan felt more love for Luis at that moment than she'd ever felt. He never ceased to amaze her with his kind words and actions.
“Okay, pay attention now, Mama is going to make a quick speech.”
Sheridan nodded and she and Luis both turned their attention towards Pilar who was standing in front of her seat, with the watchful eyes of all her guests upon her.
“Welcome everyone” Pilar greeted warmly. “This year is a very special Thanksgiving for my family and I am very pleased you are all here to celebrate it with me. As most of you know, we usually start our meal with a very special prayer of thanks, but I thought we would do something a little different this year.”
“I have so much to be grateful for this year and I know many of you do as well, so I thought it would be nice if we all mentioned what we are most grateful for. I will start and Theresita will go next and then around the table” she explained.
Pilar seated herself as everyone joined hands and Pilar began the prayer.
“Dear Father in heaven, thank you for gathering us all together at this table for this very special meal. I am surrounded by my loving family and closest friends and I feel blessed. Thank you especially for bringing my Aunt Marianna back to us. It has been many years since we have seen her and I truly was saddened when contact was lost with her all those years ago. She and her husband Tomas complete our family. And thank you as well for the joy and happiness you have brought to my son Luis. I am first to admit that I was wary of his relationship with Sheridan, as I did not believe her family would ever allow such a union. I was right about that, but I underestimated the power of love and their desire to be together. Sheridan has always been the one bright star in that family and I love her dearly. I have always thought of her as a daughter and in a month's time, she truly will be in every sense.”
Tears filled Pilar's eyes as she fought to get the next words out.
“And thank you for looking out for my husband Martin and son Antonio. I have faith they are safe out there somewhere under your watchful eye.”
Pilar bowed her head and prayed silently. Sheridan glanced at Luis, tears in her eyes. Luis just smiled at her and mouthed the words “I love you.”
“Thank you God for bringing our family together” Theresa began. “Thank you for my wonderful job and all the opportunities it will bring me for my future.” Theresa turned to the person on her right, which was Miguel as it was now his turn.
“Thank you for bringing Charity to me” he said, smiling at the pretty blonde on his right.
“Thank you for letting me find my mother's family. They took me in without question and gave me a home. Thank you for my Aunt Grace, Sam, Kay and Jessica and thank you for letting me find Miguel.” Charity beamed at her new family and then her eyes settled on the boy who stole her heart, Miguel.
Sheridan watched each person as they said their thanks and soon it was her turn. She took a deep breath and began.
“Thank you God for bringing me back to Harmony. Though I am not close to my family, I do cherish the relationship I have with my nephew Ethan. After all, he was the one who had the foresight to convince me to buy a computer.”
Small smiles could be seen playing on the lips of most of the group gathered at Pilar's table.
“I know this may seem silly, but I truly believe there was some divine intervention that allowed me to meet Luis online before I returned home. He was an inspiration to me, he helped me through some very dark times and wanted nothing in return. Meeting Luis, was the best thing that ever happened to me. He's shown me what real love is all about. He loves me for the person who I am, not for the person most of the world believes me to be.”
“Thank you for this wonderful family I am about to marry into. They have opened their home and their hearts to me, which is more than I could ever have hoped for. And thank you for my friends, old ones who have helped me through tough times and new ones who accept me for who I am.”
Luis looked at Sheridan, his eyes reflecting the love he held for her in his heart.
“Thank you Lord for bringing us all together today. Thank you for bringing Marianna and her family back to us. Thank you for bestowing your good grace on all of us. And thank you for bringing Sheridan into my life. I'd almost given up on the idea that I would find the perfect woman, but she is sitting here right next to me now. Thanks to my own stubbornness and pigheadedness, I almost missed her, so I am grateful for my friends and family that showed me what a fool I was. And I was that, a fool. Sheridan is the most wonderful woman in the world and I will thank God everyday for the rest of my life for bringing her to me. “
Sheridan felt tears about to fall. She looked at Luis, her eyes shining with love and devotion. She squeezed his hand as they listened to the rest of the table say their prayer of thanks.
When the prayer was finished, someone shouted “Let's eat” and the table erupted into multiple conversations as everyone headed for the buffet table to serve themselves the best Thanksgiving turkey in town.
To be continued……………………..