Make It Count

Here is another amazing shuis fanfic by: Beth! You'll be glued to the screen no doubt.


Sheridan and Luis were curled up together on the couch in the Lopez Fitzgerald living room. Two weeks had passed since that morning when the whole truth finally came out. Her father was carted off to jail and Julian had a breakdown. Once Sheridan learned the truth about Martin's disappearance and her father's deception, she stormed off the Crane Estate swearing never to return.

She'd packed her bags and taken a room at Grace's B & B and a temporary job working in Grace's shop. Sheridan was finished with the Cranes for ever now. In two days she would become Mrs Luis Lopez Fitzgerald and she couldn't wait. For the first time since all the excitement came to a head, they were finally alone: Miguel was on a date with Charity, Pilar and Martin had a couple days left to go on a long awaited second honeymoon and Theresa was introducing her brother Antonio and her sister Palome to all their friends in Harmony. They would have the house to themselves for a few hours.

Sheridan sighed. It felt wonderful to sit beside the man she loved just watching the fire silently: she was content for the first time in her life - she and Luis were finally together and safe. Luis tilted her head for another gentle kiss. She relaxed into it loving the sensations his tongue evoked as it lapped at hers. Her hands wandered, absently caressing his broad shoulders and she relished the feel of his body so close to hers. His hand strayed to caress her breast. He heard her breath catch at the caress and reached beneath her to scoop her into his arms. As usual, he wanted her desperately. Every time they'd tried to make love for the last three days something had interrupted them. But they were alone now...

Luis carried her the few short steps down the hall and set her gently on his bed. Sheridan held out her arms reclining against the pillows as the bed squeaked softly in protest as Luis lowered his weight on top of hers. He kissed the base of her throat and then pulled her up slightly so that her blouse was easy to remove. His shirt followed quickly. He continued to kiss her shoulders and was about to open the front closure of her bra when they both heard it - a soft tap on his bedroom door. And a voice. Damn. This time it was Miguel.

"Luis," he spoke softly, "I know it's late but I saw the light..." "Ugh, not again." they both groaned in frustration. Whenever they'd tried to make love there was always a knock at the door or an urgent phone call. It must be a conspiracy. Their foreheads met. "I'll get rid of him." Luis whispered. "No, he sounds upset. We can get back to this when the time is right." She replied lovingly. "It's okay, really." Luis kissed her, twice, then crossed the room. "It's not okay, we haven't had a chance to make love for days. But I love you for saying that." He checked to make sure her clothing was back in place then opened the door. "Yeah, little brother, what's up?"

Miguel entered the room and then saw Sheridan sitting on his brother's bed smiling. "Oh, Sheridan, hi, I didn't realize you were still here. I thought you'd be at Bennet's B&B by now." Next Miguel realized that his brother was bare chested. "Oh no, Um," Miguel wasn't stupid - he realized he'd interrupted them and felt like a heal. "This can wait til tomorrow. I'll catch up with you later." Sheridan smiled at him. "Relax Miguel. You look like a guy who needs his big brother. Luis and I have the rest of our lives...Besides the wedding is in two days and then we are off for four glorious weeks alone together. No cell phone, no interruptions. And the location is top secret." She grinned from ear to ear. "I'll see you in the morning, love." She got off the bed and kissed his cheek.

"You call that a goodnight kiss." Luis grabbed her and pulled her up against him. His lips brushed against hers so sensuously that she had to struggle to stand. Maybe she should have let Luis get rid of Miguel? "Now, that's a goodnight kiss." "I see you in the morning." She said softly, "Goodnight Miguel." "Sheridan, I think Luis and I should walk you to Bennet's. It's late and I'd hate for anything to happen to you..." Miguel was a perfect gentleman. He'd learned from the best. His big brother. "Read my mind, Miguel." Luis said. "We can talk on the way back."

Sheridan smiled knowing it was useless to argue with one machismo Lopez Fitzgerald man let alone two. Luis kissed her goodnight again at the door and she headed for her room. She met Charity on the stairs. "Sheridan, Oh, good, I was kind of looking for you.." Charity was shy but she'd wanted to see Sheridan. "I um, I know it's late but can we talk?" "Sure honey, come on up stairs with me." Sheridan was flattered that the young woman trusted her to confide in. They settled in chairs in Sheridan's room. "What can I do for you?"

"Sheridan, well, you see it's like this, Miguel and I have been talking about, well, we really love one another and we've been talking about, being, you know...more to each other. Than we are right now. Know what I mean?" Sheridan smiled. "Uh huh. Taking your relationship to the next level?" Sheridan's affection for Charity and her calm demeanor put the young girl at ease.

"Whew, thank you. I knew you'd understand...I'd talk to Aunt Grace but she's had so much on her mind lately and well, sometime adults who've been married forever don't always understand how it feels to.." Charity paused."We really love each other. Really we do. I want to be so much more for him, but..." Charity looked embarrassed and confused. "Charity, I believe you when you say you love Miguel. And I understand. I know what it's like to be in love and to want to be with the man you love...Are you sure this is what you both really want? You're so young, " Sheridan tried to be understanding.

"Just because I'm seventeen doesn't mean I don't know what love is. It's how I feel about Miguel. He's wonderful, gentle, kind, brave, incredibly handsome.." "Trust me Charity" Sheridan interrupted. "When it comes to Lopez Fitzgerald men, you won't have a hard time convincing me or any other red blooded female on this earth that they're the genuine article. Then again, I may be a little bit prejudiced, after all, Luis and I are getting married in two days."

"That's why I thought you'd understand. Maybe even approve. I"m so confused. My head says wait because well, making love has so many serious consequences, but my heart says I love Miguel and I want to be with him. And when I am with him my body - my heart rate doubles, my skin's so sensitive, I get warm all over..."

"I recognize the symptoms. And I can sympathize with you whole heartedly. I can't get within three feet, make that ten feet, of Luis without feeling my pulse race and every fibre of my body screaming 'take me - I'm yours." Sheridan giggled and so did Charity. "Sheridan, you're blushing." Charity thought it was cute that worldly Sheridan Crane was actually blushing.

"When it comes to being with the man you love some things won't change whether you're seventeen, twenty seven! Trust me, I know exactly where you're coming from." Sheridan figured it was time to cut to the chase. "But Charity, whether or not I approve, or anyone else for that matter, doesn't count. I mean, I'm sure you know I'll tell you that you have to use protection against disease and that you have to take additional steps to prevent pregnancy, but Charity...you also have to be mature enough to know your own mind and your own body before you can make this commitment to anyone regardless of how you feel about him. Why don't I make us a cup of tea? This could take a while..."

The two young women sat side by side holding their cups. "How did you know it was Luis. I mean...that he was...THE ONE" "I fought it at first. Oh, he scared me. No, I take that back." She paused. "I always knew instinctively that I was safe with him, but the depth of the attraction terrified me. I remember the first time we danced together it was as if I was an extension of him. We fit so perfectly - like we'd been made for one another. It felt like this dance partner was created to match my every move, we were so in sync.

Then, spending so much time together last summer, we managed to figure out just how made for each other we are. We believe the same things, we're so connected. So in tune. Charity, when Luis and I finally celebrated our love for one another physically, nothing in the world could have stopped us that night. God knows, it seemed like the whole world had already tried by then. As much as I believe sex belongs in marriage, and I do believe that, I wouldn't change having made love to Luis when and where I did. We both needed one another so much that night. We were mating for life that night and we knew exactly what we were doing at the time. We had no other thoughts but one another and belonging to one another.

Sometimes, making love is the only thing two people can do. For us it was like that. Life affirming, no, more than that it was life restoring. It wasn't a choice we made so much as an acknowledgement that we were the missing part of one another. The part we both feared we'd lost forever when I almost died. For me, there is no option other than to 'be with Luis', because for me there is no being 'without Luis'." She took a sip of her tea. "I'm falling over my words here.

I'm sorry. For Luis and I being apart is no longer an option. Neither one of us feels alive without the other. I can't explain it. When we made love we were at a point where being together was as necessary as breathing and I don't mean the physical pressure we joked about earlier. It was a need to join our minds, our hearts, our souls and our bodies. A need to be everything to one another and to complete one another. That night changed my life. It made my life worth living. And I wouldn't change a millisecond even if I could. I had already belonged to Luis for months before that night but in a way I wish I'd met him years earlier and known love only with him."

Outside, Luis and Miguel were having a very similar conversation as they walked along the Harmony oceanfront. "Hey, Miguel, what can I say? You've got great taste. She's a beautiful girl inside and out. I may be in love with Sheridan but man, the eyes, the smile, the figure. She's cute that's for sure."

"Luis, it's more than that, give me a little credit would you?" Miguel was a bit defensive. "Why do all adults just assume that every teenage guy wants only one thing from a girl... It isn't fair. I mean Sheridan's a knock out but people don't assume all that brought you two together was sex. Besides, you two can't seem to get enough and nobody gives you a hard time about it."

"Sheridan and I are older...and we're talking about your relationship not mine. " Luis got a little testy. He and Sheridan hadn't gotten together for days because of the constant interruptions and they were both frustrated. The house they'd bought in his old neighbourhood would be ready when they got back from their honeymoon but wasn't quite done yet. Their friends had helped paint and wall paper and most of the furniture was in place but they wanted to move into it 'married'.

In the meantime between resolving their pasts, his family busting in on them, and various police matters requiring Harmony's newest detective, he thought he would burst if he didn't have some time alone with his lover - soon. "Look, I'm not saying you're only after sex from Charity. But Miguel, you guys have time you know? Have you talked to her about this?" "Yeah, she and I were ... we got interrupted." Miguel shook his head.

"Ouch, I know what that's like.." Luis smiled. "More than you could know..." He smiled and shook his head. "Miguel, all I can say is that making love ties you to someone permanently. Just make sure you know how you feel about her and remember it's about what she wants and how she feels too. I know you're not stupid, you'll use protection, and take additional steps on top of condoms to make sure you don't become parents at seventeen. But Miguel trust me, you'll know when the time is right. I promise."

"Yeah, but you can't tell me Sheridan was your first?" Miguel was embarrassed to ask but, he and Luis had never had any secrets before. "Yeah, I've been with other women, Miguel, but Sheridan is my last, my only and my forever. I regret not having only been with her." Miguel stood there stunned. "Hey, don't look so shocked little brother. At the time, I thought I really loved Beth, we'd talked about getting married, too. But with Sheridan, it sounds crazy but, my life didn't really start until the night I danced with her for the first time at Mama's birthday party.

And honestly, I didn't touch Beth again after that dance - I broke up with her for all intents and purposes when I met Sheridan and on some level Beth knew before I did that Sheridan was the one." Luis took a deep breath, "Miguel, when Sheridan and I finally admitted how we felt about one another, the night of the mine cave in, that was it. Once we realized that the feelings were just as strong for both of us, it was like, we stopped being afraid of getting hurt and dove in with both feet.

I felt married to her even before Christmas and when I thought I'd lost her forever..." Luis turned away for a moment and then turned back to Miguel. "We decided then, nothing is ever going to come between us. What we have together is all that counts. And it will surprise you to know we didn't become lovers till a few days after the disaster at Theresa's engagement party." Miguel raised an eyebrow. "But you were living with her when she got out of the hospital, and all summer, I mean, come on you must have? Not til after Theresa and Ethan's party? You guys were so connected though, way before that."

"It wasn't for lack of trying.." Luis smiled. "When we finally did make love, it was to seal our commitment to one another. I made a promise to God and to Sheridan on Christmas Eve, when I held her in my arms at Midnight Mass. I married her in my heart that night. It's like my life started over again when she came out of that coma, not just hers. This wedding, this weekend, it's more for everyone else than us. She was my wife even before the first time we made love.

But that night was the real beginning of our life together. Forever. It's like up till then nothing else mattered..." Luis felt the lump in his throat and cleared it away. "Don't rush it Miguel. If it's right, you'll know. Time is a gift from God. Use it wisely, but don't rush into anything. Without a real commitment - it's empty. Hold on, hold out, until you're ready to give it all to her. It'll mean so much more." Their eyes met and they hugged.

"I want you know Luis, I couldn't be happier for you and Sheridan. I know she loves you too and, well.. You two belong together." Miguel paused. They'd walked a circular block. Miguel nodded toward the window of Sheridan' room, "Her light's still on.." "I noticed and yeah, we're saying goodnight again." Luis wanted to see her. No he had to see her. "Luis, are you sure she won't mind me coming up with you? It's late? Maybe I should go home and let you two get back to what you were doing at our place." Miguel was kind of nervous.

"Miguel," Luis was grinning, "Sheridan adores you. Hey, I was the one who wanted to brush you off earlier. Besides, you promised you'd help me haul the dresser Grace was giving us over to our new place, right? No time like the present. And, I gotta see her again, I can't help myself. And, take it from me physical exercise like moving furniture or chopping wood is the best way to deal with the frustration you're feeling right now. Cold showers work too."

They climbed the stairs in time to overhear Sheridan say to Charity, "Girls your age may talk about romance and passion. And both those things are wonderful. But honey, you and Miguel have the chance to give one another a very special gift. Yes, you can be one another's first love but, if you wait, you can be so much more to one another. There is nothing more romantic than standing before your family and friends and pledging to share your love of God and one another for the rest of your lives, and then, when you're alone that night, sealing that pledge by discovering

His gift of passion together for the first time. Luis and I made our vows privately, and this wedding is kind of for everyone else and I know that when we get married the day after tomorrow it will be a wonderful and a beautiful wedding night because we love one another so much. But it won't be our first night. I know my life is with Luis and we've always belonged together. But a part of me would have liked to have had our wedding night be our first night. Charity, I've learned all too well that live is short, but honey, you still only take the trip once. Make it count. You asked my advice, well here it is WAIT. And buy a good skin moisturizer for all the cold showers you'll have to take."

"Thank you Sheridan." Charity hugged her closely. "Miguel is really lucky to get a new big sister like you." Luis looked at Miguel. "Told ya she was smart." He said softly then cleared his throat so the ladies were aware they weren't alone. "Hi." "Let me guess, you forgot the way home?" Sheridan joked as Luis kissed her cheek. "Very funny. We wandered down to the pier, then came back the same way and I saw your light still on. What can I say, I couldn't walk by without kissing you goodnight again." He kissed her deeply. "I love you." "Me you too!" She smiled. He kissed her again as Miguel greeted Charity. "I thought you'd be home.." he asked kissing her gently. "I needed to talk to Sheridan about something," Charity smiled. "What brings you here?"

"Luis, and I walked Sheridan home, then went down by the pier for a while." They turned and saw Sheridan and Luis getting lost in one another again. He raised his voice slightly. "Then he cons me up here so he can kiss Sheridan again and get me to move some dresser Mrs. Bennet is letting them have for their house all by myself.." He nodded towards the other couple whose lips were still locked together. Luis was caressing her back. Miguel dropped his voice to a whisper. "Do you think they'd notice if we slipped out?"

"I doubt it." Charity took Miguel's hand. "They look like they want to be alone anyway." At that, Luis and Sheridan came up for air. "Where do you think you're going, little brother? Grab an end and we'll lug this across the street okay." The two men grabbed the piece of furniture while the girls picked up the drawers. They moved it into the new Lopez Fitzgerald house without incident.

"This place is really taking shape." Miguel observed as he looked around. "We only finished painting yesterday, now I cant believe how much stuff you've got in here." Sheridan laughed. "Between the contents of my cottage, some hand me downs from the Bennetts and Russell's, cookware from Pilar and Grace, Theresa and Whitney making curtains for our a wedding gift, I'd say it's really coming together." Luis slipped an arm around her.

"Feels like home to me." Luis loved this place. It was a perfect symbol of their coming together. In spite of all the obstacles they'd made it. Their friends had come through for them too. "I better let you get some sleep, mia, " "I have to open the shop for Grace tomorrow morning. I'm a working girl now." Sheridan smiled up at him.

"Careful how you phrase that Sheridan, or I might have to call some of Luis' buddies on vice - it would be my civic duty, right." Miguel enjoyed having a new sister to tease. Except unlike Theresa, this one didn't rise to the bait. "Good night, Miguel." Sheridan kissed her soon to be kid brother's cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow. Charity, I hope I helped a little." "A lot. Thanks again." Charity and Miguel headed out leaving Sheridan and Luis alone in their almost finished living room..

Sheridan smiled at him. "You're here, I'm here, why don't we make this the first night in our new home." Luis kissed her gently. When he pulled back she looked a little surprised. "Sheridan, this may sound, oh hell, old fashioned, but I don't want to be here with you until we're married okay. Let's spend our wedding night here, in our new home then take off for Spain the next morning instead. We've waited this long I think I can handle two more nights." "You overhead me with Charity." It was statement not a question.

"Yeah, and seeing how I'd just said the same things only no where near as well to Miguel, I know I'm right. I want to give you romance, Sheridan, you deserve it. That and so much more." He leaned in for a deep kiss. "Come on I'll walk you back and tuck you in."

With the help of three cold showers, each, Sheridan and Luis made it through the next two days. The morning of his wedding, Luis woke early and baked two dozen blueberry muffins using his mother's recipe. Although Luis intended to personally serve Sheridan breakfast in bed that morning, Theresa side tracked him. "It's bad luck to see the Bride before the altar. And you two have had more than your share of bad luck." She giggled. "I'll deliver these. Any messages?"

"Just tell her good morning and I love her." Luis replied shaking his head and pouring himself a cup of coffee. "I'm not going to make it till 4 p.m. without seeing her." He muttered. Theresa pretended not to hear the last part. "Consider it done." Theresa smiled as she took a plate from him and left by the kitchen door. She returned just as Luis was finishing his coffee. Miguel and Antonio had joined him at the kitchen table and were scarfing down their breakfast too.

After greeting all her brothers she said to Luis, "Sheridan said to tell you, 'same to you on both counts,' and if it makes you feel better, Mrs Bennet and I had to practically hold her down to keep her from coming here to thank you herself. It's so cute, she's dying to see you too." "Thanks, sis." He said laughing. "I may ask you to run messages a couple times today okay?" "No problem, that's what bridesmaids are for." Theresa smiled at him. "I am so happy for you, for both of you." She hugged her brother.

"Thanks kiddo." He replied. "Are you going to be okay seeing Ethan?" He was worried about her. "I still love Ethan, Luis. It will be tough. But I'll get through it." She replied trying not to cry. "Let's make a deal. Today we're just going to be happy for you and Sheridan, okay. This is a wonderful day for the Lopez Fitzgerald family. We're all together and you're getting married. That's what matters." She gave him a brave nod and kissed his cheek.

"I'm going to head over to the Youth Centre and work out for a while with Miguel and Antonio. Will you tell Mama and Papa when they get up? We may end up at Rick's Bar & Grill to shoot some pool too." "No problem." She replied. She went to pick up the phone. "Whit, I need a favour, would you and Chad mind helping me with something?" Theresa and her co-conspirators met an hour later at Sheridan and Luis' new home. They set up candles and fresh flowers.

The place looked perfect. They agreed to sneak back over to light the candles and turn on the music just before the bride and groom made their departure from the reception. As they prepared to leave they bumped into Luis and the rest of the Lopez Fitzgerald men out front. "Busted." Luis said, "I hope you didn't toilet paper my house kiddo." He was not amused. The three brothers were carrying flowers, candles and had expected to prep the house too.

He opened the door and saw the lovely living room. "It's perfect. Thanks sis. You're a sweetheart. Great Lopez Fitzgerald minds must think alike." Antonio couldn't help but laugh. "How come our baby sister knows so much about romance? Good thing I'm around to watch out for you now, little one? Maybe these two haven't been doing their job!" He teased her. "They do just fine.!!" Theresa laughed. "Let's go home."

"Are they gone yet?" Sheridan asked Ethan as he peered around the corner of the Bennet house. "My new house is more like Grand Central Station today!" "Coast is clear." Ethan muttered as he watched Theresa bounce home. "I think you'd better let me go in first - I don't want to ruin one of Theresa's legendary surprises." "It's lovely!" Sheridan gasped when she saw her future sister in law's handiwork. "I'll just set Luis' gift on the bed and we'll get out of here."

"I'd almost forgotten how romantic Theresa could be." Ethan said softly. "I still miss her Sheridan." "Are you going to be okay today. I want you there but I'll understand if you have to skip." Sheridan smiled at her 'nephew'. She still considered him that and always would. "Me, miss the happiest day of your life. NEVER." He wrapped an arm around her. "Let's make sure you get to the church on time."

It finally happened. Luis and Sheridan said their vows to one another with the kind of conviction that only true love can bring. They enjoyed the toasts and the warm wishes of their friends and family then returned to their new home. Luis carried her across the threshold to the beautifully prepared candle lit bedroom. "I love you, Sheridan Lopez Fitzgerald."

"And I love you." She replied tenderly. Their kiss began gently, tenderly but rapidly increased in intensity. Then they heard it. Singing. It started out softly and began to increase in volume. Their friends were standing on their front porch singing God Must Have Spent a Little More Time On You. The voices faded into the night and the only sounds from that quaint little bungalow were the soft whispers of love.

THE END