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Ten months after Michelle's abduction
Setting: Greyhound Bus Station
Michelle went to the counter and bought a ticket to Springfield. She asked the lady over the counter how long the ride was and the lady had said give or take two hours.
Danny was only two hours away. She looked at her watch and tried to determine where he would be at this time of day. Probably at work. She would get a cab when she arrived at the bus terminal in Springfield and she would go see him at work.
The moment she had been waiting for for ten long months was almost here. She boarded the bus, put her bag with her meager possessions under her seat and rested her head back on the head rest. She began to imagine their reunion.
She prayed he would be happy to see her. Her captor had told her that Danny believed Michelle had abandoned him that long ago night on the beach. He had constantly baited her with things about Danny not loving her anymore. He had even told her Danny had remarried already. Her heart told her that was not so, but if he believed she abandoned him, he might have married someone on the rebound. He had also informed her that Danny said she could stay where she was as far as he was concerned.
Tears gathered in her eyes when she thought about that. Could it be true?? He must have been devestated that night on the beach and when they didnt hear from her, what else could he think??
Michelle's mind wandered back to the night of the kidnapping. They had put her on a boat and taken her to an island. She wasnt sure at first where she was but she had learned later that it was Barbados. She had been taken to a beautiful hacienda . Her room had exotic plants and fragrant flowers all about. She had been given a servant named Louisa and she had been the only one who would speak english to her. Louisa had helped her to quit being afraid and over the last months had become like a mother to her.
She had received an invitation that day to join her host for dinner that night. What kind of kidnapper would invite his hostage to dinner? Louisa got the dress that the host had picked out for her and told her the boss wanted her to wear it tonight.
Michelle had cried all afternoon for Danny. She was thankful though that he was safe and right now that was all that mattered.
She had been escorted to dinner that night by a male servant and seated at a table set for a king. It was extravagent. There was enough food to feed an entire army although she wouldnt be able to eat any of it at all. She was very shocked at the treatment she was receiving. She fully expected to be locked in her bedroom with the perverbial bread and water.
She was even more shocked when the host arrived and greeted her. She had thought he was dead and she should know, she was the one who killed him. Mick had orchestrated this whole kidnapping. Why was the question.
He had fed her stories about how she had merely knocked him out rather than kill him. He had left for this tiny island and made some very savvy investments where he was not inclined to pay federal taxes. He was very happy in this little paradise and soon she would be too, after all he had said. I saw you first.
This was Micks revenge for her falling in love with Danny. She had fought him every step of the way and so far hadnt tried anything but she knew the time would come when he would. Her reason for being able to put him off was just about over.
Louisa had been the one to set up MIchelle's escape for five days. Mick always took an annual journey to Switzerland, probably to deposit some more dirty money and he always stayed a week. That gave Michelle enough time to get to Danny and get back to Barbados for Louisa and Rosie.
Michelle's breast began to hurt when she thought of Rosie. It would be time for her to eat soon. She had pumped enough milk and stored it so she would have plenty to drink while she was away. She trusted Louisa with her life and with her daughter's life. If she ran out of milk, Louisa said there was some formula. Michelle hoped it didnt come to that. She didnt want Rosie to drink that nasty smelling stuff.
Louisa had been the first one to suspect that she was pregnant. Michelle had thought her sickness and weight loss and overall lack of enthusiam for life was due to her depression at having been separated from Danny. She had been both thrilled and horrifed to find out for certain that she was pregnant. She was carrying Danny's child and he didnt know.
It was only that knowledge that got her through the next months. The creation of a tiny person out of her and Danny's deep love for each other. She cried all through her pregnancy too when she felt Rosie kick and wishing Danny could share it with her. She told Rosie all about her father though. When she had been pregnant, she would rub her stomach and tell her about all of the things that she loved about her father. About how he had single handedly changed the Santos business into something she could be proud of one day. Michelle never lost the hope that they would be together as a family.
She had been calling for Danny the night that Rosaria Danielle Santos was born. She had lost a lot of blood since she had had to give birth in the hacienda with only Loiusa at her side. Mick was there also and had said she didnt need Danny, not when uncle Mick would take care of her.
She had taken awhile to heal and recover. Louisa took care of Rosie during that time only giving her to MIchelle when it was time for Rosie to nurse. A perfect combination of both of her parents, Rosie was an absolute joy. She hardly ever cried. She had her fathers coloring and eyes, but she had Michelles hair color. It made for a very unusual, striking combination and Rosie was beautiful. She couldnt wait for Danny to see his daughter.
She checked her watch and saw that she only had an hour to go. An hour to see her husband. She prayed that Mick had been feeding her a bunch of bull and that Danny hadnt remarried. She would just have to take that chance. She needed Danny to come with her to bring Rosie back.She would not allow her to be raised around Mick Santos.
What would be the first thing she would say to Danny? He would probably comment on the change in her appearance. Her hair was a lot lighter from the sun. Her body had undergone some changes also. Her breasts were much bigger and her stomach was no longer flat.
Her breasts were really hurting now and she knew she needed to get somewhere where she could relieve the pressure. She ached to hold Rosie right now. To feel her little body next to hers, to smell her sweet baby smell, to see that extraordinary smile that was identical to her fathers.
Loiusa had risked her life to help Michelle come to the states. If Mick found out it would be disastrous. He was crazy about Rosie and Michelle knew he would never hurt her, but she knew he would kill Louisa.
She had promised to take Louisa and her brother back to the states when they came back with Danny.
Please let him believe me, she prayed. Please let him know the chance I am taking to come back to him but above all , please let him believe in my love.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Danny had felt strange all day. His instincts were on edge. Something was in the air. Would there be another takeover attempt? Carmen had tried on several occassions to attempt a takeover but she had failed each time. Was she up to her old tricks again?
He got up and paced around the desk. What was it?? He couldnt put his finger on any of it. He went back to his desk and started the proposal he had been working on. He couldnt concentrate. He picked up the photo of he and Michelle that he kept on his desk and he stared at it. His beautiful Michelle. God had not granted his request of being reunited with Michelle in heaven. There had to be a reason. He had resumed talking to God again lately but for while he had been very bitter.
He looked down at his arms and was astonished to see it covered with goosebumps. What was going on??
He jumped when his intercom went off. He had hired a new secretary after Lisa had retired. Man, he missed her. He had elevated her to sainthood after she had left. She was the best. Hope was doing a good job though and he needed to cut her some slack. He pushed the button on the intercom and asked her what she needed.
"There's someone here to see you" she said.
"Well, okay, who is it?" Danny said.
"Well sir, she says she's your wife". Hope said and Danny heard no more.
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