One year later....

Michelle gazed at her reflection in the mirror. She had to pinch herself to be sure that this was real and not some elaborate dream. .

"You look beautiful sweetie," Abby said coming to stand behind her.

If someone would have told her a year ago she would be this happy and at peace with herself she would more then likely laughed them right out of Chicago probably out of the entire state of Illinois for that matter.

Danny had been true to his word standing by her through it all. He had gone to every doctor's appointment with her. Read everything he could find concerning Michelle's condition. He even surprised her doctors with his knowledge.

They stayed in Chicago for a few months until Michelle was stronger. Danny went with her to see a therapist. He listened while she dealt with all of her demons. Starting with Jesse's betrayal and ending with Mick and Nino. He was her rock. They completed one another. They were like two halves of one whole. Separate they were lost but together they shone.

Finally he asked her if she was ready to go home to Springfield. At first she was petrified but the thoughts of seeing Rick and Abby again won her over. She was excited to introduce Danny to them. Chicago had only been a prelude to the main attraction. The main attraction being finding the love of a wonderful man.

Once back in Springfield Danny set a perfect courtship. He did all those things that a beau was to do. Flowers, candies, concerts, dinners, moon lit walks on the beach anything her hearts desired. Michelle was intoxicated by all of it.

The disposal of Nino and Drew was never once mentioned. Danny knew however that it had been handled in the true Santos/Rivera style. Carmen had relinquished all ties to the underworld. Bernard had said that he understood. He was even beginning to have his doubts. His son's blood still fresh on his hands. Carmen handed the reins of Sancorp fully to Danny. The company flourished under his leadership. Carmen had even brought her daughter home. She went to work on rebuilding her family.

It was at dinner on Pilar's first night back that Danny proposed to Michelle. She looked at herself in the mirror white lace of her veil grazing her face and smiled at the memory of Danny's proposal. He got down on one knee stammering like a school boy asking for his first date. She gleefully accepted without a moments thought.

"Are we ready?" Rick whispered in her ear. She nodded not able to speak. "You are the most beautiful bride I have ever seen. Danny's a lucky man."

"No, I'm the lucky one. Thank you though," she said kissing his cheek as the wedding march resounded throughout the Santos house.

The ceremony was exquisite. Everything that she had thought it would be and more. Danny watched as she walked towards him, towards the life they would build together. Half of Springfield had been there to witness their union. Witness that she had come full circle. She was a whole women again not the shell that he had first found. She had Danny to thank for that.

The reception was a whirlwind of activity. As they danced their final dance Danny couldn't stop himself from smiling. He still was having trouble believing that it was all real.

"Do you know how much I love you?" he said as he nuzzled her neck.

"I think I have a pretty good idea, but why don't you show me, Mr. Santos," she giggled.

"I intend to. Just as soon as we can get out of here."

"No time like the present," she said playfully with a tinkle in her eyes.

Danny raised his hand in indication for the band to stop, "My beautiful wife," Danny loved the sound of that word rolling off his tongue. Wife.....wife......wife, "and I are retiring for the evening." That remark was met with low wolf whistles and boyhood locker room cries. "We want to thank you all for sharing our very special day with us. I have found my partner for life, soul mate and I was glad you were all here to see her make my life complete," Danny squeezed Michelle's hand as the tears pooled in her beautiful brown eyes. "Please stay eat the food, dance and enjoy the band." With that said the band resumed playing.

Danny carried Michelle over the threshold of their bedroom. It was alive with candlelight and white roses.

"Danny," she gasped.

"You like?" he said sheepishly as he lowered her to the floor all the while never letting out of his embrace.

"It's beautiful."

"No, baby you're the beautiful one," he kissed her softly but it deepened. He had waited for this moment for so long. They had decided to wait. Danny hadn't wanted to push her. He wanted to be certain her scars had healed first.

Michelle felt chills electrify every inch of her. She opened her mouth to let their tongues explore one another. He wrapped his arms around her tiny waist drawing her closer. Slowly he undid the covered buttons on her dress. Each touch of his fingers sent another tantalizing sensation through her spine. With the task completed her wedding gown dropped to the floor in a silken heap.

Danny stood back to admire the view. She was breathtaking. The satin camisole and panties clung to her. Danny felt his breath quickening as she slowly moved closer to him again.

She started by removing his tuxedo jacket. Slipping it off his shoulders letting it fall the floor. The shirt was next. She ran her hands over the hardness of his chest. The crisp white shirt found it's way to the floor as well. Easily she began kissing his neck winding her way down to his chest. All the while her hands rubbing along the outline of the muscles in his back.

Danny shuddered with each new kiss. He breathed in hard as she began sucking of his nipples. He raise her face to meet his and mouthed 'I love you'.

Finally the pants were the last article of clothing to be lost. Michelle pressed her body against his. She felt his desire. It was warm against her skin. Without warning Danny scooped her in his arms and carried her to the expansive bed. Hunger filling his eyes. Gone was the camisole, gone was the garter and hose, gone were the panties. Michelle lay there naked before him. "You are so beautiful," he whispered before disposing of his boxers.

She placed her body on top of his. He moaned in pleasure reaching out to cup her breast in his hands. She shivered with excitement. Gently he ran his hands against the softness of her pink skin drinking in every moment.

She rested herself against his manhood teasing him. He could feel she was wet against his thigh. His hands traveled to her buttocks bringing her closer.

She watched as his eyes fell closed. She couldn't ever remember a better experience. She let her hands make contact. She felt his hardness beneath her touch. She eased herself lower. Danny watched as she took him in her mouth. Waves of pleasures crashed around him like the tide on the beach. Her tongue circling...circling Danny gripped the sheets sensing release was near. Michelle never stopped. She wanted this. She wanted to give everything to this man. To her husband. She felt his body relax finally. She crawled to lay beside him in the crook of his arm. Danny kissed the top of her head. He sighed thinking what an amazing women he married.

It was now his turn to begin the teasing. He propped himself on one arm and traced his fingers along her nipples. A small sigh escaped her lips. His tongue found it's way from one nipple then to the other. He looked up to see the faintest smile. He traced small circles across her stomach on his way to his final destination. He laid his hand against her. So warm so wet. She moaned as his fingers gently entered her. She arched her hips begging for more. Each caress left her breathless. He spread her legs further resting his body between them. His own excitement growing. He let himself touch that special spot but not yet enter. Michelle groaned pushing his body to hers. She ached for him. Wanted to feel him inside of her. As if on command he complied. Gentle at first then with more force. It didn't take but a moment for them to be in sync. The motion being one. No longer two but just one whole. They came together in one breathtaking moment that neither would ever forget. Michelle and Danny were one. One mind, one body, one spirit.