Author: Regency

Title: The Truth of It All

Pairing: Pilar/Jeremy (OFC)

Summary: Now, that Eve’s agreed to marry Julian, obstacles arise that could separate them forever. While this is happening, a new man sweeps into Pilar’s life and literally knocks her off her feet.

Author’s Notes: I hope the Spanish isn’t too confusing. I did translate. We all know how Pilar will change from Spanish to English in the middle of a conversation. Jeremy does it because I can’t remember how to say some stuff.

Disclaimer: I own the plotters, the kidnappers, and the accomplices. And no, I’m not talking about Alistair, Rebecca, Beth, or Liz.

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Spanglish...

Pilar walked in park, pushing Marty in his stroller. Beth had reluctantly allowed her to babysit at Luis’s insistence. He wanted his mother to form a true bond with his son since Beth’s earlier ‘protectiveness’ had given her little opportunity. She cherished her time with her grandson, any small child actually. She never had the chance to just nurture children anymore. Her children were grown and were prone to making their decisions without her help. Often bad decisions, but their decisions nonetheless.

That didn’t hurt as much watching them hurt or having them blame her for things she couldn’t possibly have had anything to do with. Take Paloma for instance, she loved her, because she’d given birth to her, but she wasn’t certain how much more of her daughter’s ill-contempt she could accept. She knew that she’d have given anything to have her with the family for all of those years, but there was just no money. She couldn’t remember how many times she’d explained this to Paloma and somehow she still had gotten the blame for everything.

And Martin. Well, she could barely stand to think him without thinking of ways to do very unholy things to him. They would hurt, but they would in no way approach the pain she still felt whenever she saw him with ‘Mrs. Wheeler.’ It hurt her so badly to know that he’d left her all of those years ago to be with that woman. And if she was honest with herself, she still believed that ‘Ellie’ was Katherine Crane. That’s not something you accidentally admit when it’s not true.

Still, that was not what she wanted to think about just then. She was with her darling grandson and he was all that cared about. She peeked through the clear sunroof of the stroller at Marty’s beautiful blonde hair. But blonde hair? That brought a question a to her mind again and again. There was no way that he’d gotten that from her side of the family and Beth was not a blonde. She supposed he could’ve gotten it from far back in her family’s blood line. She doubted it. Every time she saw little Marty with Sheridan, she was so certain that they were related that sometimes she forgot that they weren’t. He even had Sheridan’s eyes. She knew that it wasn’t possible, because Sheridan’s baby had died, but there were moments when she was convinced that he belonged to Sheridan and Luis instead of Luis and Beth.

She did not trust that girl. She hadn’t since Sheridan had come back to Harmony as Diana with Antonio. She knew that look of desperation on Beth’s face. She wanted Luis and was determined to have him at any cost. To her, it was just too much coincidence that she and Sheridan were pregnant at the same time. Pilar was a smart woman, but she knew that she had no proof and the last few years had been simply too trying to accuse her and be wrong. She knew she wasn’t wrong, but what did that mean? She’d thought she was right about ‘Mrs. Wheeler’ as well. She was still right about her.

So, that left her right about a dozen things and unable to prove any of it. That left her nowhere.

If Pilar had been paying attention she’d have seen a distracted looking man striding right into her path. Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on how you look at it, she wasn’t paying attention and she didn’t see him.

The next thing either she or the man knew, they had collided with each other and Marty’s stroller went rolling down the walkway. Both lay stunned on the ground for a moment before Pilar realized that Marty was gaining speed down a hill towards the street.

“Oh, Dios Mio. Mi nieto. Por favor, sacas mi nieto.” She realized that the man she was talking to probably didn’t understand Spanish and translated. “Please, get my grandson. His stroller is rolling down the walkway.” He nodded and sprinted after the speeding stroller. He caught it just as it was about to slide into the street. He pulled it back and turned it around to see Martin clapping his tiny hands with joy. He’d enjoyed his little rush, the wind through his hair. His cheeks were rosy and his face was split in a big grin, showing off his six teeth.

“Hey, little guy. You had a good little ride there, didn’t you? Did ya have fun? Did ya have a good time?” He gurgled at the stranger and clapped some more.

Pilar jogged across the grass to her grandson. “Oh, mi nieto. Tu estas bien?” She checked his face and shoulders. She was finally convinced that he was fine. “Thank you, sir. Thank you so much for saving my grandson. God only knows what would’ve have happened to him had you not come along.”

“De nada, Señora o Señorita?” Pilar hesitated.

“Señor...ita. Yo estoy separar.” Miss. I’m separated.

“Ah, Señorita. Pero, si yo presté atencion...” Ah, Miss. But, if I had paid attention... She would not hear of this.

“If you had been paying attention, this would’ve been a very boring afternoon. As it is, little Marty is very happy with you. You’ve made him happier than I could’ve made him if I tried.”

“Well, thank you. I suppose.” She smiled at him and tried not to examine him too openly. He was very attractive. He had dark hair, but fair skin that belied the conversation they’d just had. But his eyes were what captured her. They were a strange green with dashes of blue thrown in for fun. He was taller than her, but not overpowering in stature. He seemed to be well-built beneath his tailored suit.

It took her a moment to realize that she was blatantly checking him out. She blushed and averted her eyes immediately. She was so embarrassed.

“Te gusta mi vestido?” You like my suit? His smirk told her that she had given herself away.

“Si. Es...guapo.” Yes, it’s handsome.

“Comó se llamas, Señorita?” What are you called, Miss?

“Me llamo Pilar. Pilar Lopez. Y tú, Señor?” I am called Pilar. Pilar Lopez. And you, sir?

“Jeremy Longoria. I look like my mother. She was not Spanish.” Pilar nodded.

“Comprendo.” I understand.

“Señorita Lopez, se puedo tomar tú y tu nieto por comida o ceña?” Miss Lopez, can I take you and your grandson for lunch or dinner? Pilar didn’t know the man well, but she had already made up her mind.

“Si, tu puedes. Cuando?” Yes, you can. When?

“Ahorita, sí Uds. tienen tiempo.” Now, if you have time.

“Si, claro. Pero, yo tengo que llamo mijo primera.” Yes, of course. But, I have to call my son first.

“That’s fine.” She smiled and walked beside Jeremy towards the parking lot. Marty was very interested in this new man. As was Pilar. So, maybe she did peak at his backside as they walked, but he definitely took a look at hers.

What? She wouldn’t be married for much longer. It was time for her to move on with her life. And maybe, just maybe he would be the one to help her.

She saw his eyes snap back to the stroller when she perused his face again. Oh, yeah, he was definitely checking her out. So she added a little pep to her step and made it worth his wile.

Then, she tripped on a rock that the stroller missed and he lunged to catch her. Marty went flying down the sidewalk again and they both ran after him.

All Pilar could think was, “Not again, nieto. Not again.”

Marty clapped and giggled all the way.

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