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Disclaimer: I don't own these characters.
The next morning, Danny and Michelle took their time getting ready for the annual Bauer Barbecue. The magic of the night before still lingered in the air.
"I think we probably conserved some water, by only taking one shower this morning," Michelle laughed.
Danny smirked at his wife and said, "I don�t think it counts when the shower lasts an hour and a half."
On their drive to the Bauer house, Danny said, "I asked Ray to stop by at the barbecue, if he has some time today. I hope that�s o.k."
"Of course it�s o.k.," Michelle said.
"I wanted to tell him about us. I know he�ll be happy," Danny said.
Michelle knew he was right. Ray was a good man, and he loved Danny. He would be happy to know that they were still husband and wife.
When they arrived, Michelle quickly went into help-mode, and rescued Rick out from under a large quantity of paper plates, napkins, and plastic utensils that he was trying, unsuccessfully to arrange on a picnic table. Danny stepped inside the house and found Abby busy in the kitchen.
"Did you find it?" Danny asked Abby.
"Yes I did. It was in her jewelry box upstairs, next to a picture of Maureen," Abby said as she handed Danny his wedding ring.
He had hated giving the ring back to her. It had meant something to him, even before he realized it. "Thank you, Abby," Danny said, clutching the ring in his hand.
"Michelle is going to be so happy," Abby said.
Danny smiled back at her, "So am I. You better keep this until the time comes," he said as he handed the ring back to her.
Outside, Danny saw Michelle hanging decorations by the pool. Rick was alone, lighting the charcoal in the grill. It would give them an opportunity to talk.
"Thanks for helping me out," Danny said. "I really appreciate it."
"I just want Michelle to be happy, Danny," Rick said, "and this will definitely make her happy."
Danny reached in his pocket and found Michelle�s wedding ring. "This has been with me, every day, since she gave it back to me," Danny said. "I guess you can hold onto it until later." He handed the delicate ring to Rick.
Rick slipped it into his pocket and said, "I�ll keep it safe."
Danny walked over and put his arms around his wife. "Mrs. Santos," he said. "I predict that this is going to be a great day."
"Everyday with you is magnificent," she said as she kissed him. "I love you so much, Danny."
"I love you, Michelle, more than anything."
They heard voices coming from the house. It was Drew and Max.
"I did not want to be reminded of that today," Danny said.
"Danny, it�s over and done with. I�ve forgiven you and Drew, and we have moved on with our life. Besides, Drew has her own problems right now."
"I just hate what happened. I never wanted to hurt you that way," he said, as Michelle noticed his eyes watering.
She touched his face, sweetly and tenderly. "Danny, you are my husband, and I love you. Last night we made a new start, a new beginning. Everything before that doesn�t matter."
He put his arms around her and drew her to him. "I don�t ever want to disappoint you again."
"All you have to do is love me," she said. "All I need is you and your love."
Michelle went into the house to talk to Drew. Max had already found the pool, so they could be alone.
"I came a little early because I wanted to talk to you," Drew said.
"I�m sorry I�ve been so out of touch since Carmen died," Michelle apologized.
"Don�t worry about that. I know you�ve had a lot going on."
"I take it you looked through those envelopes?"
"Yeah, I did. Ben and I talked about it some, but obviously, it�s not a time in his life he likes to relive. We�re not going to do anything else until Selena comes back to town."
"Do you know where she is?" Michelle asked.
"No, but Buzz assures me that she�ll be back in town soon."
"I hope when she comes back that you can have some kind of closure. I know this has been devastating for you."
"Michelle I need to say something to you."
"What Drew?"
"I need to thank you for everything," Drew began, as the tears started. "I don�t know what I�d have done if you hadn�t been there for me during all this mess. You didn�t yell at me or try to convince me to get over what happened, you were just there for me, and you told me it was o.k. to be angry. I can�t believe that you�ve been so good to me, considering everything."
"Drew, you don�t have to keep apologizing," Michelle said.
"Just let me finish. I need to say this. I told you I never had any real girlfriends, much less a best friend, but that�s exactly what you�ve been to me. And I want to be the same thing for you. But I know I can�t do that until I put things right between us. I�m sorry for the way I�ve treated you. I�ve been such a jerk, from the day I came to this town. I was constantly trying to mess things up with you and Jesse. I didn�t care whether or not I hurt you. And just when I�m starting to believe that you and I could be friends, I go and do something totally stupid with your husband. I just want you to know that I realize how destructive I�ve been, and I don�t want to be that person anymore. I want to be your friend."
"You are my friend, Drew," Michelle said, as she saw Selena and Buzz standing by the pool. "But I think there�s someone else you need to talk to." She pointed outside, and Drew saw Selena.
"I wasn�t expecting to see her today," Drew said flatly.
"Drew, I know what Selena did was wrong. It was a terrible lie, and even though her intentions were good, that doesn�t excuse it. But you can�t hold onto it forever. Selena meant a lot to you before you found out the truth. Leave the past in the past. Make a new start with her."
"I don�t know Michelle," Drew said.
"Look at me. Did you ever think that Danny and I could make a new start? There was so much in our way, so many things keeping us apart. But we found a way. And look at you and I. After everything, we�re sitting here, and we�re friends. You need to go out there and make friends with your mother, Drew."
"Thank you," Drew said, as she hugged Michelle.
�Most of the guests had arrived and Michelle went outside to find Danny. She found him talking to Ray, and the three of them had a conversation while Rick and Abby greeted the guests. Once everyone was there, and the Bauer Burgers were on the grill, Rick whistled to get everyone�s attention.
"I want to say I�m glad to have you all here," he began. "A lot has happened since this time last year, and I�d like to say a few things, to the people that I love."
Michelle looked at Danny a rolled her eyes. "Here he goes. One of his speeches," she said sarcastically. Danny just smiled mischievously.
She noticed his arm tighten around her waist.
Rick continued. "All of you know that my wife recently underwent successful surgery to restore her hearing." He looked over at Abby and said, "Abby, I want you to know that I love you and I�m going to be here for you, every step of the way." He leaned over and kissed his wife, and everyone cheered.
"Most of you have noticed that my best friend, Phillip, is here without his lovely wife Harley. That�s because she�s at home with there new little bundle of joy. Phillip, I couldn�t be happier for you."
Again, everyone cheered.
Then Rick looked at Michelle and Danny. "My sister has been through a lot this year. The last few months have been quite an ordeal for her. But, I�m proud to say that she has made it through everything, and she and Danny are together and happy. I know you all know the troubles that have surrounded these two, but they fought their way back to each other, and by the looks on their faces today, we all know why."
Drew led the crowd in clapping, with Selena by her side. Jesse was conspicuously absent. Michelle looked up at Danny, the love of her life, and then at all her friends. She could not be happier than she was at this moment.
Rick went on. "Today is a very special celebration for Danny and Michelle, so I�d like to give Danny an opportunity to tell you why."
Michelle was taken totally by surprise. She looked at Danny with a puzzled expression as he began to speak.
"I�m sure that you�re all aware of the obstacles Michelle and I have had to overcome. It�s hard for me to believe that she stuck around through all of it," he said as he stared lovingly at his wife. "I know that most of you probably thought she should�ve given up on me, but I�m so glad she didn�t. I�m here today because of her. She saw in me the man that I wanted to be, and it�s because of her love that I was able to be that man." Danny was fighting hard not to let his voice break.
Michelle�s eyes overflowed with tears as her hears overflowed with love.
"Michelle and I have had two wedding ceremonies, and neither one of them even came close to the wedding she deserves."
He turned to Michelle. "You deserve to have a wedding, surrounded by your family and friends. So, since everyone is here today, I would like to renew my vows to you, and pledge my love to you, and share our happiness with these people who mean so much to you. I just need you to say yes."
His hands were enveloping her face as she looked up at him and said, "Yes!"
Rick took his place next to Danny, and Abby stood next to Michelle. Danny and Michelle gazed into each other�s eyes, as Ray began speaking.
"It is my privilege to be here today, on this happy occasion, as Danny and Michelle renew their vows before family and friends, and in the sight of God. It has been a long road for these two, and I pray the Father�s blessings on them, as they make this new start. I ask of you, family and friends, that you be supportive of their union, and rejoice in their happiness."
Ray turned his attention to Danny and Michelle. "Danny and Michelle, is it your intention to love and cherish each other? Will you give of yourselves and be faithful to one another for as long as you live?"
Danny and Michelle answered together. "We will."
"Danny, do you have anything you�d like to say to Michelle?"
He looked at his wife, and with more love than he�d ever felt in his life he spoke. "If there is anything good in me, Michelle, it is because of you. You took a bitter, angry man, and turned him into something worth loving. That is the power of your love, Michelle. You�re the only one who ever touched my heart this way, and I give you my heart, my love, and my self, for the rest of my life."
"Michelle?" Ray asked.
Michelle took a deep breath and gripped Danny�s hands tighter. "You came into my life like a whirlwind, and before I knew it, you had captured my heart. You have filled my life with such love - love like I never knew existed. And today, I resolve to be your partner, your confidant, and your loving wife, for the rest of my life."
When they had finished, Ray looked at them and said, "Would you now like to symbolize your love, by the giving and receiving of rings?"
Danny�s ring! It was upstairs in her jewelry box! She was just about to say something when Abby leaned over and handed her Danny�s ring.
"I took care of everything," Danny whispered.
Danny slipped the ring on Michelle�s finger and repeated the vow he�d made when he first gave it to her. "Michelle, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with all that I have and all that I am, I honor you in the name God."
Her hand shaking, Michelle slid Danny�s ring, back on his finger, where it belonged. "Danny, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with all that I have and all that I am, I honor you in the name of God."
"After renewing your vows in the sight of your family, friends, and in the sight of God," Ray began, "it is my pleasure to say that you are indeed husband and wife. Mr. Santos, you may kiss your bride.""
The crowd erupted into applause as Danny and Michelle kissed. He had given her the most wonderful surprise, and the most special wedding she could�ve imagined.
"You are my miracle, Michelle," Danny whispered to her, as everyone gathered around to congratulate them.
"And your love is priceless," Michelle whispered back.
THE END