Promises

Parts 21-22

By Candy

Two months later:
Danny threw the phone against his office wall. Then went the stapler. Then went the rolodex. His secretary Diane busted through the door to see what had happened.
"I'm fine Diane," he snapped. "I'll call you if I need you. Hold all my calls."
Without a word, she quickly closed the door behind her. She knew better than to press him when he was like this. She ran interference for him and instructed anyone who needed to see her boss that he was unavailable at the moment. However, when Michelle called she told her she thought it would be a good idea if she stopped by to pay a visit to her husband.
Worried, Michelle quickly got dressed and ran downstairs to tell Carlos she wanted to go to Danny's office. Within thirty minutes, Michelle was standing in front of Diane's desk.
"What happened?" Michelle asked.
"He got a phone call from Frank Cooper and the next thing I know he's throwing the phone and anything else within reach," she explained. "I went in to see if he was okay and he said he was fine, but obviously he isn't."
"Well, thanks for letting me know," Michelle said, looking at Danny's closed office door. "I think I'll go in and see what's going on."
"Good luck," she sighed.
"Carlos," Michelle turned to him. "I think it would be best if you wait out here while I go in to talk to Danny."
"No problem," he smiled sympathetically.
Michelle gently knocked on the door and slowly opened it. "Diane, I thought I told you I would call you if I needed anything," he yelled.
"It's not Diane," she said softly as she entered his office.
"Michelle," he shouted. "What are you doing here? Where's Carlos?"
"He's waiting outside. I called in to talk to you and Diane said there was something going on," she explained, crossing the room to sit in the chair facing her husband. "And now that I'm here, I agree with her. What is it?"
"It's just business Michelle," he snapped. "Don't you have school?"
"No and you know it," she snapped back. "You have my entire schedule on your calendar and you know that today's an off day for me. Would you like to tell me what's going on with you?"
"I told you," he stood up, avoiding his eyes. "It's business. Just drop it."
"Don't shut me out," she stood up to walking to stand in front of him. "Danny, look at me. I haven't seen you this upset since I was in the hospital. Please talk to me."
He looked into her pleading brown eyes and he knew he had to tell her. She would find out sooner or later anyway. "Michelle, sit down."
She followed him back to the chair she had just vacated and he sat down beside her. "Danny, you're scaring me. Just tell me what's going on."
He took a deep breath and began. "It's about my mother. She's being released from prison today."
"What?" Michelle gasped. "How can that be possible? After everything she's done. Danny, she tried to kill me!"
"Don't you think I know that," he snapped, but then felt guilty about it. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you."
"When did all this happen?" she asked.
"Frank told me a couple of months ago that Ben was trying to get her released by claiming she wasn't evaluated by a proper psychiatrist at her trial," he explained.
"Wait," she began. "You've known about this for a couple of months and you never said a word to me about it."
"You were just getting out of the hospital and then you started back to school," he said. "I didn't want you to worry anymore than you already were. Besides, I wanted to see if he could actually get her released before I said anything."
Although she didn't like him keeping things from her, she had to admit she understood his reasons, so she let it go. "Okay, then, what about the psychiatrist at the trial? Didn't he say she was mentally competent?"
"Yeah," Danny laughed. "Funny thing about that doctor. His license was revoked two months ago for undisclosed reasons. So the judge allowed another psychiatrist to examine her and submit his findings. The judge reviewed the report and decided that my mother did have mental problems at the time. However, since her incarceration she has shown great remorse and progress with her treatments. He feels given her fourteen months of jail time, she has served enough time without having to be detained in a medical facility."
"What do you think?" Michelle asked.
"About what?" he asked confused.
"Do you think she's changed?" she asked. "I mean you said yourself when you went to go see her a couple of months ago that she was different."
"I'm not sure what to believe," Danny sighed, running his hands through his hair. "All I know is that she tried to kill you. I can't forgive her for that."
"I know," she whispered. "But if she has changed, she has a right to know she's going to be a grandmother."
"What?" he exclaimed. "There's no way I'm letting her near you or our baby."
"That's not what I meant," Michelle defended. "I don't plan on letting her near our baby either. But we've already told everyone else that I'm pregnant. How long do you think it will be before she finds out, if she doesn't already know?"
"There's no way she could know," he shook his head. "Pilar promised not to say anything and Ben wouldn't know. They're the only visitors she's had."
"She's going to find out sooner or later," Michelle explained.
"Maybe, but I would just as soon make it later," he said. "Frank also told me he has a lead on who poisoned you."
"Who?" she asked quickly.
"There was a drug dealer arrested last night," he began. "He had a vial of the poison used on you in his possession. Frank questioned him about it and he said he got it from someone a few months ago."
"Who gave it to him?" she asked.
"They're working on finding that out," he explained.
While that was true, he didn't tell her that he had made some phone calls of his own after Frank called him. His first call had been to Bernard, who assured him he would check out his sources and get back with him. Despite Bernard's warnings, Danny called a few other former associates. He threatened to go to the FBI with everything he knew about them if they didn't give him the information he was looking for and they in turn reminded him of who he was dealing with. If he wanted to threaten them, he better be prepared to face the consequences. Danny didn't back down an inch, on the phone at least. When he hung up the phone he noticed his hands were shaking. What had he just done?
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After talking for a little while longer with Michelle, Danny decided to call it a day and go home with her. He told Diane he was going home and to hold his calls until tomorrow. Carlos was in the waiting room as they walked out arm in arm.
"I'm going to take Michelle home, so if you want to call it a day too, that's okay," Danny said, giving Carlos a look he knew.
"Sure thing," he nodded at Danny to let him knew he understood. "I will see you in the morning."
Carlos took the back steps and waited until Danny and Michelle were in their car before he got in his car. As they pulled out, he quickly followed. Danny had called him just before Michelle had come downstairs. He filled him in on the events of the afternoon and asked him to stay with Michelle around the clock. Even when he was with her, he wanted Carlos there too, just as added protection, but he didn't want Michelle to know that he was there. Danny knew it would only worry her and that was the last thing she needed right now.
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Danny checked his rearview mirror and was relieved to see Carlos keeping a safe distance behind them. Michelle was quiet on the ride home and Danny knew she had a lot going through her mind right now because he did too.
He thought about taking her for a walk through Laurel Falls to get her mind off of things for a while. Despite his worries about safety, he knew that Carlos would be close behind and he had protection himself. He cringed when he thought of what Michelle would say if she knew he was carrying a gun, but he had to do what he had to do. He wasn't going to be caught off guard again.
"Hey, are you feeling okay?" he broke the silence.
"Yeah, I'm just thinking," she mumbled.
"Well, how about a walk through Laurel Falls?" he asked. "I think we could both use some fresh air to clear our heads."
"That sounds wonderful," she smiled. "It's been a while since we've been there."
"It's been too long," he sighed. "But I promise we'll come here more often from now on."
After a few more minutes, Danny pulled down a dirt road that led to the spot where he and Michelle had renewed their vows. He checked his rearview mirror to make sure Carlos had followed and was relieved to see he had. Danny pulled over to the side, so Michelle wouldn't see Carlos' car when she got out. She opened the car door and walked around to his side of the car. He grabbed her hand and followed her down the path to the waterfalls. He stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her growing belly.
"It's so peaceful here," she sighed. Danny leaned down and kissed her neck, holding her tight. "We should definitely come here more often. It's so nice to get away from everything."
"Everything is going to be okay Michelle, I promise," he whispered in her ear.
They spent another hour, holding each other, enjoying the peaceful scenery. Michelle suddenly turned to face Danny and they locked eyes. She placed her hands on either side of his face and reached up to place a soft kiss on his lips. Momentarily forgetting that Carlos was nearby, Danny turned their kiss into a more passionate one and gently eased her back to the ground. They were lost in each other when Michelle's stomach growled. Danny sat up with a laugh.
"Talk about spoiling the moment," she frowned.
"It's okay," he said with smile. "It's getting late and we should be getting this little one something to eat."
"I wish we could stay here forever," she said as he helped her to her feet. "We'll come back soon, I promise. Now let's get you two home."
Michelle laughed as her stomach growled again. They were walking back to the car when Michelle stopped.
"What is it?" he asked her.
"My earring," she cried, rubbing her naked ear. "It must have fallen off over by the waterfall."
"Are you sure you had it on?" he asked, following her.
"Yes," she said. "Danny, it's the earrings you gave me last Christmas. Look over there by that rock."
"Michelle, I'll buy you another pair," he groaned.
"No, these are special," she cried. "We have to find it."
"Okay, okay," he sighed, getting on his hands and knees to search the ground.
They spent several minutes searching through the grass and around the rocks with no luck.
"Sweetie, this is like looking for a needle in a haystack," he stood up. She stood up and looked at him with tears in her eyes. "I'll keep looking," he said.
After many minutes later, Danny gave up. "Look Michelle, I don't think…"
Danny stopped as he heard a noise through the bushes behind her. She turned to look at him when he stopped talking.
"What…" she began.
"Shh! Don't move," he demanded, as his eyes danced all around them. He was about to say something to her about his imagination running wild when he saw it.
The gun was pointed directly at Michelle's head. Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion as he dove on top of her to push her out of the way. The next thing either of them heard was the explosion of a gun.

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Danny moved slowly, thinking, hoping, even praying this was just another one of his nightmares. But when he opened his eyes and saw Michelle's motionless body beneath him, he knew this was his worst nightmare come true.
"Michelle," he groaned, patting her face, noticing a trickle of blood and the deep bruise already forming on her forehead. "Baby, please wake up."
As he rolled off of her, his heart stopped. There was blood all over her chest. "Oh my God!" he screamed. "Carlos! I need help! Carlos!" He turned his attention back to Michelle.
"Baby, can you hear me. Please open your eyes."
Slowly, her eyes fluttered open. "Danny," her voice cracked.
"It's okay, Michelle," his voice thick with worry. "Carlos is going to get help."
"What happened?" she said slowly.
"There was someone with a gun," he explained as she tried to sit up. "Don't move!"
"My head hurts," she groaned as her eyes drifted down. She moved her hand to touch her chest. As she pulled her hand back for closer examination, she began to shake as she realized her hand was covered in blood. "Danny…"
"It's okay," his voice got weaker. "Help is on the way. You're going to be okay."
"Danny, it's not me," she cried. "This isn't my blood. It's yours!"
He closed his eyes as his fear for her eased and the searing pain in his arm became unbearable. She sat up quickly, holding on to him tightly. "Lay back and let me see."
She eased his jacket off and tore his shirt to find a bullet wound in his upper shoulder. "I'm okay," he groaned.
"The bullet didn't go all the way through," she ignored him. "We've got to get you to the hospital. Where is Carlos?"
"I'm right here," he said breathlessly, dragging a body behind him.
"Who is that?" Danny moaned.
"This is the gunman," he explained.
"Is he alive?" Danny questioned.
"Yes," Carlos said. "I got him in the leg and…"
"I don't give a damn about him," Michelle shouted. "My husband has been shot. Carlos, give me your phone."
Carlos released his grasp on the body he was dragging and threw Michelle his cell phone. "Boss, where did he hit you?"
"In the shoulder," Danny coughed as he heard Michelle talking to the 911 operator. "Carlos, look after Michelle. I think she hit her head when I knocked her down." Danny stopped, trying to catch his breath.
"Don't worry about her," Carlos whispered. "I'll take care of her."
Michelle threw the phone on the ground and turned her attention back to Danny. "Carlos, look in the trunk of Danny's car and get a blanket or something I can wrap around him." He hesitated, looking at the still body beside him. "He's not going anywhere," she screamed. "Go!"
Carlos stood up and ran to the back of the car. Michelle tried to ignore the increasing pounding in her head. She squeezed her eyes tight, trying to keep everything from spinning. Danny opened his eyes long enough to see how pale she had become.
"Michelle," he gasped. "What's wrong?"
She opened her eyes at the sound of his voice. "I'm just putting pressure on your shoulder to slow the bleeding."
"Something's wrong with…" he stopped as Carlos reappeared with a blanket.
Michelle grabbed the blanket from him and spread it out over Danny's body. She looked up as she heard the sirens in the distance. "The ambulance is almost here." He began to say something else, but he could feel himself slipping out of consciousness. "No, Danny, please! Stay with me Danny! Please! I love you so much! Help is almost here."
Moments later the ambulance roared to a stop behind them. Michelle wouldn't leave his side as the paramedics prepared to move him. "Miss, you have to back up."
"I can't," she said as her reserve quickly crumbled and the flood of tears fell from her eyes. She had been stoic when she was attending to Danny, running only on adrenaline, but now she was a bystander as the paramedics took care of her husband.
Carlos came up behind her and gently lifted her to her feet. "Let them do their work," he said.
He didn't let go of her as the paramedics put Danny on a stretcher and rolled him to the back of the ambulance. She shook free from Carlos and followed them.
He grabbed her arm again as she stumbled, climbing into the back of the ambulance. "I'm fine," she said. "I'm going with my husband to the hospital. You take care of whoever that is over there."
Carlos watched at the ambulance roared away and then turned his attention back to the paramedics who were attending the man lying on the ground. "The police will want this man kept under guard at all times."
"Well, the police will have to handle that," one paramedic said. "Our job is to try to save this man's leg."
Before Carlos could say another word, he heard the police pull up. He met them halfway and explained the situation. He handed them the gun he had confiscated and then gave his statement about what had happened. As the ambulance took this man to the hospital, Carlos followed close behind.
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Michelle held Danny's hand the entire way to the hospital. She kept talking to him, hoping he would open his eyes, but he never did. As the paramedics pulled up to the hospital and wheeled Danny through the ER doors, she wouldn't let go of his hand. Suddenly, someone from behind pulled her away. She was about to turn around and shout a few obscenities when she saw it was Rick. He grabbed her shoulders and held her at arms length.
"I heard they were bringing Danny in," his eyes looked her over, noticing all the blood. "You weren't hit were you?"
"No," she cried, turning to look for Danny. "Rick, Danny…"
Her voice broke and new tears flooded her eyes. "He's going to be okay," he pulled her into his arms.
He held her close as she sobbed in his arms. "I have to go see him."
"Michelle, you…" he stopped as he pulled her back and looked her in the eyes. "Look at me."
"What?" she said, as her red, puffy eyes looked up at him. He rubbed his fingers over the rather large bump that was forming on her head. "Ouch!"
"You need to have that looked at," he said. "I don't like the way your eyes look."
"Rick, I'm fine," she shouted. "My husband is the one who has been shot!"
"Michelle, you probably have a concussion!" he shouted back. "You need to be examined."
"I am not going anywhere until I know my husband is okay," she glared at him.
Rick abruptly tore his eyes away from Michelle when he saw them wheeling Danny out of the exam room. Michelle turned too and rushed over to his side.
"Where are you taking him?" she begged.
"Surgery," a doctor explained.
Rick came over and pulled her back. "Let me go!" she yelled.
"Michael, this is my sister and her husband," Rick explained. "Are you assisting?"
"Yes," Michael explained. "I'll let you know as soon as I know anything."
Rick nodded as Michael rounded the corner to follow the others. "Michelle," he turned her around to face him. "They're taking him to surgery to remove the bullet," he explained. "He's going to be fine."
"Why is he still unconscious?" she asked through her tears.
"It could be any a number of reasons," he said. "Come on, you need to sit down."
"I want to go upstairs and wait by the surgery department," she said.
"We will in a minute," he said. "But first I want you to sit down for a minute."
She let him lead her to a chair in the waiting room. Before they could sit down, Abby and Ed burst into the room.
"Michelle, honey, are you okay?" Ed asked. She couldn't get the words out so she just wrapped her arms around her father and cried in his arms. "Shh!" he tried to console her. "Everything's going to be okay."
Abby pulled Rick to the side out of Michelle's earshot. "Rick, what's going on? What happened?"
"I don't know all the details," he sighed. "Michelle's been hysterical since she got here. All I know is Danny was shot in the shoulder. He's in surgery right now. Michael is assisting and he said he would let us know as soon as he could."
"Is he going to be okay?" she asked.
"I don't know, Abby," he said. "I didn't get a chance to look at him too close because I was worried about Michelle. She must have hit her head somehow. She's got a huge knot on her head and she probably has a concussion. But she won't let anyone examine her until she knows something about Danny."
"Rick," Ed walked over. "I want you to find an exam room and look Michelle over. It looks like she's got a concussion so you better do a CT scan."
"I know Dad," he said. "I told her that, but she said she wasn't going anywhere until she knew something about Danny."
"Let me talk to her," Abby said. "Maybe I can convince her."
Before any of them could make their way back to Michelle, she was stumbling to her feet. Rick rushed over as she swayed and grabbed her by the arm.
"Michelle you are hurt," he demanded. "If you won't let someone look you over for your sake, do it for your baby's sake and for Danny's. What would Danny say if he knew you were hurt and you wouldn't do anything about it?"
"He would say to take care of yourself," Carlos walked up behind them.
Michelle quickly turned to face him. "Where is he?" she demanded.
While everyone else was confused, Carlos knew who she was talking about. "The police have him guarded," he explained. "He's not going anywhere."
"Where is he?" she repeated more forcefully.
"The doctors are examining him over there," he pointed to a nearby exam room.
Before anyone could stop her she headed over to the room and barged in.
"Hey, you can't be in here," someone demanded.
Michelle glared down into the face of the man who had shot her husband. "Why? Why did you do this? Who put you up to this?"
"I'm not saying anything without my lawyer," he charged.
"You'll pay for this," she said through gritted teeth. "And you can tell whoever is behind this, that they won't get away with this either. I promise you, I will make sure of that."

Parts 23-24

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