Harmony: Homecomings Chapter 6 part 1

Disclaimer: I only own myself and any other new characters that pop up a long the way, expect for characters that have been mentioned but have not be given life. I am working for Lennie Marie Inc., well not really working for them but they sponsor my story and my writings. Elizabeth is just a pen name, there is a real person around here somewhere. NBC and the creators, directors, and such are the ones that own Passions and I just borrowing the characters to play with. I promise to put them back where I found them when I am done. Thanks! Bye!
Harmony: Homecomings
by Annabelle
Chapter 6 part 1
Lopez-Fitzgerald House (I know you wanted to start out the Crane Mansion, I am EVIL)
Pali heard her brother close the front door and she cracked the door of the bedroom open. She had tried to go to sleep like Miguel told her to, but it was just too hard with all the excitement that was going on. She wanted to be in on the action.
She saw Miguel walk into the kitchen and she got up and followed him. Somehow Paloma Lopez-Fitzgerald was going to convince her brother to take her to the Crane Mansion. She needed to get there in time to warn Theresa to leave before their brother Luis saw her.
Miguel was so busy pulling things out to cook Pali a snack he did not notice her sneak up behind him, which is exactly what she wanted. Paloma got as close as she could without Miguel sensing her. "Boo!"
"For crying out loud!" Miguel nearly hit the ceiling when his sister made her presence known.
Pali burst into a fit of giggles as Miguel turned around to face her. "You… you are just to easy!" She was laughing so hard that she almost feel to the floor.
"You think this is funny, huh? Well what about this?" Miguel threw some of the cheese that he had pulled out into his sister's hair.
"Oh come on Miguel you can't take a joke?" Pali pulled the cheese out of her hair.
"Well I was in here about to make your favorite snack but I guess I'll just skip on that," Miguel shrugged.
"You were going to make Enchiladas Chipotle? Please, like you even know how to cook toast!" Pali dismissed him with a wave of her hand.
"Okay well I guess I just won't make it. Even though Mama was the one who taught me how to make it, I guess it is just not good enough for you," Miguel started to put the ingredients away.
"Whatever," Pali said she walked over to the pie that Beth had left for her. "What is this?"
"Oh, Beth just dropped off a Pumpkin Pie for you. Hope you like it," Miguel gave her a wicked smile.
"I hate Pumpkin Pie. I also do not like that Beth girl all that much. She thinks that she should be the only woman in Luis's life."
"And you would what, prefer that Sheridan Crane married Luis?"
"No! Absolutely not! That's why we have to go to the Crane Mansion tonight," Pali picked up the pie to throw it in the trash.
"Pali! You put that pie down right now! You know it is rude to throw away a gift. And there is no way we are going to get into the Crane Mansion," Miguel pointed at his sister and she put the pie down and sulked.
"Well I don't know about you, but I am going! I'll walk if I have to," Paloma head to the backdoor of the house.
Miguel sighed, "Paloma, number one you do not even know how to get to the Crane Mansion. Number two they would not let you in dressed like that. Come lets go change."
Paloma threw her arms around her brother for the umpteenth time that night. "Thank you Miguel! Are we going to take your motorcycle to the Mansion? Please, please!"
"You are pushing your luck Pali. Now go and change. We will go to the Mansion, but I would not count on getting past the front gate."
"Right! I'll be back in ten minutes," she ran into the bedroom and began a rapid search for a dress that would look good on her but would not be too much for riding on a motorcycle. She may not like the Cranes but she was not going to look like third class citizen when she went to their house. She was not going to give them any chance to treat her improperly.
"Paloma, come on! Let's get this over with!" Miguel shouted from the front hall.
"I am coming," she dashed out into the living room. "What do you think?" Paloma twirled around to show Miguel the dress.
Miguel could only smile at his now almost fully-grown sister. "You look wonderful Paloma, now let's go. You know that Luis is going to kill us both if he catches us. Not to mention Mama."
"We are just going to get Theresa and leave. We only need to get close enough to her and then we will leave, I promise," Pali crossed her heart.
"Somehow I do not believe you Paloma. I don't think this going to go off the way you planned, you are forgetting that we are dealing with the Cranes here," Miguel lead her out the door and to his motorcycle.
"Oh believe me I could not forget that if I tried," she put on the helmet that Miguel handed to her. They to drove off almost daring to break the speed limit in order to get to the Mansion in time to save their sister.
When they reached the gate the guardsman stopped them, "Where do you think you two are going?" The guardsman's voice was unfriendly and harsh.
"I am Miguel Lopez-Fitzgerald and this is my sister Paloma. Our sister Theresa and brother Luis called us and told them to meet them here for the dinner party tonight," Miguel lied. He hated to lie but the guard might actually buy what he was saying and let them in.
"Lopez-Fitzgerald you say? Do you have any ID on you?"
Miguel pulled out his wallet and handed it to him. The guard must be buying some of his story. This was a good sign. He felt Pali give him a pat on the back for his convincing lie.
The guard looked at the ID and the spoke, "Well you two just made it in time. The dinner is just about to start. When you get to the front door the butler will escort you to the dinning hall. Make sure you have him hurry. Mrs. Crane is about to enter the hall with her grandson."
"Thank you very much. We'll make sure he gets us there in time," Miguel took his ID back from the guard and pulled away.
"That was great Miguel! I can't believe we got in this easily," Pali laughed.
"Well we have to hurry. If my guess is right Mrs. Crane is going to come into the dinning hall with Luis instead of Ethan. And we need to get there before that happens."
Pali shook her head as best as she could with Miguel racing along the driveway. "Don't worry Miguel, we are going to get there time. Theresa is going to be in total shock when she sees us."
They reached the front door and the butler opened it, "You must be the Lopez-Fitzgerald kids. If you give your keys to Daniel he will take your bike to a save place. You are just in time, Mrs. Crane will down any minute."
Miguel handed Daniel his keys and the helmets, "Do you know if my sister Theresa is in the dinning hall?"
The butler lead them to the dinning hall, "I am not sure. But I did hear that she was going to be with Mr. Ethan when he escorted Mrs. Crane into the dinning hall."
Pali went white, "Oh no Miguel. We are too late. Luis probably already knows that Theresa is here," she whispered to her brother.
"I don't think so Pali, we would have seen the fireworks back at our house," Miguel told her as the reached the dinning hall.
"Here we are, tell your mother I said hi," the butler opened the dinning hall doors for them and walked away.
"Mama is here?" Pali asked a little nervous about seeing her mother again.
"Where did you think she would be Paloma? She works for the Cranes," Miguel rolled his eyes.
"I don't know, I just was not expecting her to be in the dinning hall," Pali did not move from the doorway of the dinning hall.
Miguel took her arm and wrapped around his, "Come Pali, let’s go. Maybe we can find someone who knows where Theresa is."
Paloma and Miguel walked into the dinning hall and got a few glances and smiles, Pali was surprised that no one glared or gawked at them. What she did not see was Julian Crane staring at them.
"Julian who are you staring at," Ivy hissed at her husband.
"Isn't that one of Pilar's sons that just walked into the dinning hall with that stunning young woman," Julian's eyes followed the to teens.
Ivy slapped his arm, "Yes that is Pilar's son. I think his name is Miguel, I guess that is his girlfriend, but I could have sworn that he was going out with the Bennett's niece, who is blonde."
"Not that really matters, what is important is why are they here and how did they get in?" Julian voice was full of arrogance.
Ivy just glared at him, "Well your mother told Pilar to take the night off and Theresa is going to be Ethan's escort. Maybe she called them and told them to come here, although I do not know why she would do that."
Julian lifted the brandy glass that was in his hand to his mouth, "It appears my mother has more of a bleeding heart than you do my dear."
Ivy just scoffed at him and walked away.
"Where are you going darling," Julian asked in a mocking tone.
"To make our young guests feel welcome," Ivy did not even bother to look at him and walked over to where Miguel and his date where standing. They both looked very lost but not out of place.
"Hello, you must be Miguel, Pilar's son, right?" Ivy held at her hand for him to shake.
"Why, yes I am, and this is my sister Paloma. It is nice to meet you Mrs. Crane," Miguel shook her hand and Paloma followed suit.
"The pleasure is mine, Pilar has told me so many good things about you. She is around her somewhere. My mother in law gave her the night off so she could come to the party. She actually has attached some interesting company, I think it has to do with the fact that she looks like queen tonight," Ivy smiled warmly at the two children of her beloved housekeeper. "I must say that you to do not seem to be out of place here either. Everyone will probably think that you ambassador's children or something of that sort."
"Thank you Mrs. Crane," Pali liked the praise that this woman was giving her and let down her wall of hatred for the Cranes. "But I hope that they think we a prince and princess from Spain if they think my mother is a queen."
Ivy laughed, "Well if you talk with that accent people will. People here have some weird obsession with foreigners with accents. Do not ask me why."
"I do not want to be rude Mrs. Crane, but have you seen my other sister Theresa?" Miguel asked. He had not failed to notice that Pali was getting along with a Crane but he was going to have to wait to tease her about it later. They first had to get Theresa back at home.
"Oh you did not know? Theresa is going to be coming down later with Ethan when he escorts his grandmother to the dinning hall. In fact they should be here any moment," Ivy seemed a bit surprised that they did not know that information.
Miguel had to find a way to cover, "Well we knew that Theresa was going to be here tonight but we did not know the full details of it, she just called us and told us to be here."
Ivy saw that the dinning hall doors were being opened, "Well it seems that your sister is about to walk through that door," Ivy pointed to the doors and Miguel and Pali turned to see Mrs. Alistair Crane, Ethan Crane, and Theresa walk through the door.
"She looks like something out of fairy tale," Pali whispered when she saw Mrs. Crane.
Ivy nodded, "I have heard that Elizabeth always manages to out do every other woman at any event that she goes to, tonight is no exception."
They saw Julian walk up to his mother, "I better get over there before Julian says something stupid to his mother. It was nice meeting you." Ivy walked to join her husband.
Paloma made follow Ivy but Miguel grabbed her arm, "We can't just go over and pull Theresa away from Ethan. We have to wait until his mother, father, and grandmother move away from them."
Just as Paloma was going to respond Julian raised a wine glass and started to tap on the side of it with a spoon. The room fell silent. "I would like to present to all of you the guest of honor tonight, my mother. Mrs. Elizabeth Felipes Crane or as the press knows her Mrs. Alistair Crane."
Elizabeth stepped forward and everyone began to clap. Paloma grabbed Miguel's hand and lead him around the crowd, "Pali what are you doing?"
"Taking the back route to get to Resa. We have to get her out of here, now!" Paloma continued to navigate their way around the people.
"Thank you all very much for making feel so welcome," Elizabeth spoke in a voice that was full of regal tones and sweetness. "You are very kind but I am not the real guest of honor here tonight."
The crowd laughed a little and Julian whispered to his wife, "What on earth is she doing?"
"How would I know, she is your mother," Ivy whispered back.
Paloma and Miguel were getting closer to Theresa they were just a few steps away from being able to grab their sister's arm. "Are you just going to drag her out of here Pali?"
"That's pretty much the plan. Come on we don't have much more time before Luis realizes that his sister is standing next to Ethan Crane," Pali ducked around a few more people and they almost had a clear shot to grab Theresa.
"Thank you, but really I am not the true guest of honor here," Elizabeth spoke again and the crowd looked at her some what bewildered. "No the true guest of honor is about to walk about that door right about now," Elizabeth pointed to the doors of the dinning hall and two butlers that were standing near them pulled open the doors.
Everyone gasped. Julian almost spat out his brandy. Ivy smiled. Paloma and Miguel who had taken half a second to see what everyone was looking at both turned white as sheets.
"I would like to introduce you all to this man who has saved my daughter, Sheridan, time and time again. He flew to Paris recently to insure her safety and brought her back here to Harmony save and sound. He also managed to dissolve the drug cartel that had been hunting my daughter."
Pali's mouth dropped open, "He did what!" She whispered to Miguel but he only shook his head. This was news to him.
"This man is Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald, a true American hero to the core. In fact the city of Paris even gave him the key. You see the drug cartel he stopped had been plaguing not only Paris but also the whole of France. They thought it was the least they could do," the crowd laughed at Elizabeth's comment.
"Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are a true gentleman and I am pleased to have met you," Elizabeth watched both Sheridan and Luis beam at her praise. "You better hold on him Sheridan, I know there are a lot of girls out there looking for someone like him," Elizabeth laughed and the crowd joined her. Sheridan blushed and looked down at the floor. Paloma was fuming.
"If that little-" Miguel stopped her by covering her mouth.
During this whole time waiters had been walking around the dinning hall handing out glasses of champagne to everyone. A waiter reached went around a back staircase to get up to Sheridan and Luis who were still standing on the landing in front of the main staircase that lead to the dinning hall floor. At the same time a waiter reached Elizabeth and she took the glass.
"You'll forgive me if I do not actually drink this, I can't have alcohol in my present condition," again the laughter came from the crowd. Elizabeth was starting to get sick of them. "I would however like to make a toast to my daughter and Luis."
Sheridan glanced at Luis nervously. He just shrugged. She new better though, she knew that Elizabeth was going to say something terribly embarrassing. She wished that the floor would open up and shallow her whole.
"Although you to did not met under the best of circumstances you seem to have move best your misunderstandings. You have been put in extremely dangerous situation that any normal person might not have come out of unscathed, but you two did. You are very lucky, and I know you realize this, but I do not think you realize why you managed to get away without a scratch. It is because you had each other that you were able to get through those difficult times. And I am sure that everyone here will agree with me when I say that as long as you have each other you will be able to do anything. So to I raise my glass to you Sheridan and Luis. May the future hold nothing but happiness for you both."
"Here, here," the crowd cheered with agreement. Everyone drank and Sheridan looked as if she wanted to finish her glass in one gulp but she managed to restrain herself. She was going to get Elizabeth back for this.
Paloma was about to explode, "They have him married to her already! Don't they know, doesn't he remember." She felt like she was going to cry. Had Luis forgotten about what that wretched family had done to them? Just because some blonde had come and turned his life upside down he was going to forgive the Cranes? She thought he knew better.
"Well come down here Sheridan and Luis, let's get this party going!" Elizabeth motioned for them to join everyone else on the floor and the crowd laughed again. Sheridan could tell that Elizabeth had just about had it with everyone's fake laughter.
"This is going to be a long night," Sheridan said still keeping a smile plastered on her face for appearances. Luis did not respond which made her look at him. "Luis you better start smiling again or someone is going start thinking something is wrong."
Luis put smile on his face but said, "Something is wrong."
Sheridan laughed, "What you didn't like Elizabeth's toast?"
He shook his head, "No, my brother and sister are here."
Sheridan was confused, "You knew Theresa was here, she probably told Miguel that you were going to be here and that he should come over."
"No she did have a chance to, she was with you the whole time. Besides which I left a note with Miguel saying that I was going to be here and I wasn’t talking about my sister Theresa, I was talking about my sister Paloma. She is supposed to be in Spain," Luis was still smiling but he was eying his brother and sister who were standing just behind Theresa. Theresa did not seem to notice that they were there.
Miguel saw Luis looking at them. He was smiling but his eyes were saying that he was in shock, "Uh, Pali we have been spotted. Which means Theresa has been too. My guess is as soon as Luis gets over his shock he is going to explode."
Paloma did not respond to him. "Pali? Pali? Say something," Miguel jerked her arm. She still did not respond she was too busy glaring at Elizabeth Crane to pay any attention to him.
"I don’t think your sister Paloma likes Elizabeth too much," Sheridan shuttered a little at the way the girl was looking at Elizabeth.
Luis shook his head a little, "She hates the Cranes more than I do. She blames them for keeping her away from the rest of us for all this years."
Sheridan wanted to ask Luis if he agreed with Paloma’s believe but they had reached Elizabeth. She was smiling at the two of them, showing everyone how proud she was of them. "On behalf of the city of Paris, France I present you Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald with the key to the city." Elizabeth handed Luis an extravagant wooden box, which held an equal extravagant gold key in it.
Luis took the box and looked at Sheridan, "I really do not deserve this high honor. Sheridan was responsible for bringing down the drug cartel as much as I was. Her strength of character helped us get through our little adventure. But I think you very much, and I thank Paris." Sheridan blushed again, she wasn’t sure if she was ever going to be able to stop blushing.
Elizabeth looked like the happiest woman alive, "You are far too modest Luis. Well I guess we all should seat down and start eating. I hope to get to talk to all of you tonight, if I don’t get a chance to come to you, than come up to me. I don’t bite," everyone laughed. "But really, enjoy your evening here, the dancing will begin soon. Thank you all for your warm welcome and for welcoming our guest of honor."
Everyone dispersed and as Theresa walked to talk to her brother Ethan grabbed her arm. "If your brother sees that you are here and you are with me he will kill us both," He said when she looked at him.
"Luis already knows that I am here. He saw Whitney and me the Mansion tonight and told me stay," Theresa still had not noticed that Paloma and Miguel were standing behind her.
"Theresa thank god we found you before you got to Luis," Paloma said taking away Theresa's arm from Ethan. "We need to get out of here before Luis has a chance to come over here and send us all packing to convents and military schools."
Theresa looked at the girl that was now holding her arm with bewilderment, and then she realized who it was. "Oh my God! Pali, is that really you?"
"Yes it is really me. Now let's get out of here while we still can," Pali was starting to get antsy and Miguel noticed this.
"Paloma is right Theresa. We should get out of here," Miguel said trying not to be rude to Ethan Crane. "I am sorry Ethan but Theresa just does not know what she gotten herself into. It was very nice of you to invite her tonight but we really need to take her home before our brother drags her home."
"Pali I can't believe it is you," Theresa hugged her younger sister. Then turned to Ethan. "Ethan this is my little sister Paloma. I haven't seen her seen we were little. Mama and Papa sent her to live in Spain when she was very little. Pali, why didn't you tell me that you were coming back?"
"Yes Paloma. Why didn't you tell any of us that you were coming back," everyone froze at the voice that had interrupted their conversation. "Well I am waiting Pali," Luis said smiling. Sheridan wanted to kill him for being so mean to his little sister but when he and Elizabeth had come up with the plan to scare his siblings she knew that there was no stopping either of them.
Ethan, Theresa, Paloma, and Miguel turned to face Sheridan, Luis, and Elizabeth. Ethan, Paloma, and Miguel looked as if they wanted to just die right there on the spot. They figured anything would be better than having to face Luis's wrath. But the Luis and the others were all smiling.
"Isn't great Luis?" Theresa asked her brother with the biggest smile on her face. "Paloma finally came home to us and she got here just in time to see Mrs. Crane give you the key to the city of Paris. This night has just been so wonderful."
Ethan wanted to hit Theresa for being so naïve. Was she not thinking about what Luis was going to do them once he was done finding out why Paloma was there? Mostly likely he would end up in prison or something like that.
"Luis, you have to introduce me to our family," Elizabeth had a sly smile one her face.
"Of course Elizabeth. This is my brother Miguel," Luis said pointing to his brother.
Miguel held out his hand and Elizabeth shook it, "It is nice to meet you Mrs. Crane." Elizabeth nodded in agreement.
"This little thing is my youngest sister Paloma. She has been living in Spain with my Aunt Maria for most of her life."
"Well then I have to agree with Theresa. It is wonderful that you were able to come back on tonight of all nights to see your brother receive such a high honor. It is a pleasure to meet you," Elizabeth shook Paloma's hand.
"Yeah, a pleasure," Paloma said unenthusiastically
Luis gave his sister a little glare telling her to get back into line and to stop being rude. Before he had a chance to speak again Pilar had spotted her children and had walked over to them.
"Mrs. Ivy had told me that Miguel was here with his sister tonight, I did not want to believe her, but I see she was right," Pilar looked upset.
Pilar's children did not understand what was going on, "Why are you upset Mama? I know that Pali should have called before she came, but isn't great that she is here?" Luis hadn't noticed but he still had his arm looped around Sheridan's, who did not seem to notice it either. Pali did however but she was too frightened by her mother to do anything about.
"Pali, you know you should not be here. Aunt Maria is probably worried sick about you right now," Pilar scolded her daughter.
Pali hung her head. She knew her mother was not going to be happy to see her but she did not expect this. This was outright public humiliation in front of the people she hated the most.
"Mama, I don't understand," Miguel wrapped his arms around Paloma's shoulders.
"Yes Mama, I would have thought you would be glad to see Paloma, not upset," Theresa joined her brother standing next to her younger sister. She took Pali's hand in hers and gave it a squeeze.
"Paloma knows that she-" Pilar started to say but she was interrupted by Elizabeth who had picked up on Paloma's humiliation and knew that if this event went any further it would mean disaster for the rest of her plans tonight.
"I do not believe we have been formally introduced. I am Elizabeth Felipes Crane," Elizabeth held out her hand to Pilar. She had seen Pilar earlier with the rest of the house staff but she had not been introduced to any of them because she had become so upset with Ethan that she left before he had a chance to do so. "You are Pilar Lopez-Fitzgerald, correct?" Elizabeth held out her hand to Pilar.
"Yes that is right," Pilar shook Elizabeth's hand.
"Well you must be so proud of your son tonight. I am glad that you and your family were able to come here and see the key bestowed upon him. Luis had wanted to call you before he came here, but there was really no time to do so," Elizabeth knew that she was babbling but she was doing so on purpose in order to prevent Pilar from ruining the evening.
Pilar nodded, "Yes and I thank you for having us here but-"
"But nothing. I am so happy that you are here. Please you all must stay for the rest of the party. I know that you and I are going to become really close of the next few months Pilar, but I would like to get to know your family too. Now is the perfect time to. And Sheridan and Luis are going to dance later for us, aren't you?" Elizabeth threw Sheridan a look that said that she better agree or she was going to regret it.
"Yes we are. You and your family must stay, please Pilar," Sheridan gave little tug on Luis's arm indicating that he need to help her convince Pilar to let everyone stay. He if did not Elizabeth would be upset.
Luis understood what the two Crane women were trying to tell him, "Mama, they are right. This is night for celebration. We can deal with these other matters tomorrow."
Pilar knew that she was going to have to give in to them, but she was still very upset with her daughter, "Very well. But we are going to talk about this first thing tomorrow."
"Good now I would like to talk to you about a couple of things," Elizabeth started to lead Pilar off into the crowd so that there would not be another disagreement with her daughter, and the rest of the group started to follow her.
"Hold it Theresa, not so fast," Luis's voice was harsh and forceful.
Elizabeth and Pilar turned to look at him, Elizabeth just gave him a wink. Sheridan knew what was going on, and hit Luis on the arm.
"Don't you think we have had enough drama for one night Luis," she hissed at him. Why did he always have to be so mean to Ethan?
"I agree with you Sheridan but I just want to make sure that my sister Theresa is going to be okay here," Luis looked at Ethan. "You are going to show my sister a good time here tonight aren't you, Ethan Crane?"
If Ethan Crane had not wanted wished to be anywhere else already he was definitely wishing that he were somewhere else right now. He was not really scared of Luis, but it had been such a close call and now it seemed that Luis had noticed that he and Theresa had been standing with each other during Elizabeth's speech, which he knew was going to lead to something like this. He had to put on a good façade so that Luis would leave him and Theresa alone. "Of course Officer, I would not think to do anything less." Ethan was shocked that his words came out a lot stronger than he felt
"Good that's all I wanted to know. I guess we should catch up with Elizabeth now. Make sure she doesn't tell someone that we are engaged or something," Luis's eyes were shining with merriment.
"You may laugh Luis," Sheridan told him as she lead him away from her nephew and his sister. "But I wouldn't past Elizabeth. When she wants something she will do anything to get it, and I mean anything." Luis just laughed at her.
Paloma let out a breath, "Okay Resa that was just too close. As much as I would love to stay here, maybe we should go before we get into any more trouble."
"We can't just leave Paloma. Luis all but ordered us to stay and have a good time," Theresa said smiling and waved to Luis when he looked back at them. He threw Ethan a pointed look.
"Theresa is right Paloma. We have to hurry and catch up with them before they come dragging us with them," Ethan smiled at Luis and took Theresa's arm.
"What would you know-" Pali started to lash out at him.
"Paloma Lopez-Fitzgerald! You apologize right now!" Miguel was upset that Pali was making this whole thing a lot harder than it should be.
She looked at her brother but said, "I am sorry. What I meant was you do not know my brother as well as we do."
"I have had my share of encounters with your brother. I thought for sure was going to hang me on the spot. I didn’t even know that he was going to be here tonight, did any of you," Ethan was as clueless as ever.
Theresa looked down at the floor, "Well I ran into him when I was walking Whitney to the door, but I swear they made promise not to tell anyone that he was here. I would have told you Ethan but Luis seemed okay with everything and he was happy that I was going to be here."
"You knew!" Paloma was in shock, she was also kind of upset because she had put her neck out for Theresa. "You could have at least called Miguel and told him, or something!"
"How was I to know that you two would-" Theresa started out but Ethan interrupted her.
"We really should get going you guys. Come on before Luis comes over here. Sheridan may not be able to hold him at bay for much longer," everyone nodded in agreement to Ethan’s comment. Ethan led Theresa and Miguel led Paloma. They smiled for others benefits but they knew they were walking on very thin ice.
Sheridan elbowed Luis, "Why are you being so mean to them Luis? You are scaring your siblings and my nephew half to death. I think they have had a couple of years shaved off of their lives."
"Good less time I have to spend worrying about Ethan and Theresa," Luis winked at her.
Before Sheridan could respond they passed by a group of woman who were talking in hushed tone but Sheridan could still make out what they were saying. It was kind of hard because they were talking so fast.
"I still do not understand why she married Alistair, she is so young. Why did he marry her for that matter?" One of the older women seemed very upset by this new union. "It's not like she brought anything to Crane Industries."
"She is friends with Sheridan and she was the CEO of Crane International. Now she is going to be co CEO with Julian, but I think she will be doing most of the work," another replied. "I wish I could get a guy like that, not like Alistair, I mean like that Luis guy that Sheridan has with her."
One of the others laughed at them both, "You two are so transparent. You," she said pointing to the older, "wonder why Alistair ignored your attempts to get him, because your family is loaded. You think that he should have married you. And you," she pointed the younger, "wish you could steal Luis away from Sheridan. Well let me tell you it's not going to happen. Have you seen the way they look at each other? Besides the fact that Elizabeth seems to have them married already. Leave it be, just enjoy the evening."
Sheridan could not make the rest of the conversation because the women had noticed her and Luis standing near them and they had moved. Sheridan shook her head.
"What's wrong Sherie?" Luis asked her.
She smiled at him, "You are starting to pick up some of Elizabeth's bad habits." Luis laughed at her. "No it's really that those women just asked the same question I was asking, why did Elizabeth marry my father, for that matter why did he marry her?"
Luis patted her hand, "We already had this discussion, I told you, Elizabeth love Alistair, and he loves her. That's how she could marry him." Luis saw Pilar coming towards them. "Look here comes Mama, which means Elizabeth might be right behind her, we will talk about it this later."
Sheridan nodded and hugged Pilar when she came close enough, "I am sorry I didn't get a chance to say hi before. That whole scene with Paloma caught me off guard and then there was Luis trying to give his sisters and brother a heart attack."
"Hey I was just trying to tease them, they know that. Mama where is Elizabeth?" Luis knew that if he did not change the subject that Pilar would change her mind about waiting to talk to Pali tomorrow.
"She said she would be back in a few minutes, she just had to step out for a breath of fresh air. All the excitement was getting to her. She promised she would be back before dinner started," Pilar seemed a little worried.
"What's wrong Pilar? Is everything alright with her?" Sheridan noticed Pilar's mood and she worried for her friend.
"No Sheridan, everything is fine. It's just that if she gets worked up too much, well it may have a bad affect on the baby." Pilar eyed her son, "That means no more trying to torture your sister Theresa, okay?"
"Hey it wasn't just my idea to scare Theresa, it was Elizabeth's too!" Luis tried to defend himself.
"Hijo, I don't really think she knows what her limits are. We have to look out for her. Alright?"
Luis sulked a little, "Okay."
Sheridan laughed at him, "Come on dopey. We have a few more people that we are 'required' to say hi to before we sit down."
"So that's the reason that no one went rushing to the table. You have to talk to half the room before you can eat," Luis pulled Sheridan with him, "Come on let's get this over with. I am starved!"
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