Michelle dropped the sun hat and sand dollar wind chimes she had purchased from a street vendor. Danny was in her room. What was he doing here and why was he kissing his palm? He turned around and saw her standing there. He guiltily put something into his back pocket but now before she saw what it was.
Danny saw that she noticed what he had been doing. So what , big deal, he thought. He could kiss his son's picture if he wanted to. The fact that he was also kissing her picture was totally irrelevant.
He needed to get the upper hand in this situation. "Hey Michelle" he said with much more confidence than he felt.
She obviously was still too shocked by seeing him here to speak. Good, He could use it to his advantage. Instead of facing her wrath, he could dispense some of his own.
"Dont look so shocked Michelle" he said. "I told you I was coming with you".
"How did you get into this room?" was the only thing she could think of to say once she was actually able to form some words.
"Well Michelle" he said "I simply showed my identification to the nice lady at the desk and she gave me the key. Once I explained I was your husband she was only too happy to give it to me".
He watched her panicked expression. "Oh come on Michelle" he said. "Did you really think I was just going to let you refuse my calls and come down here by yourself? I thought you knew me better than that".
"Listen Danny" she began "There really wasnt any need for you to be down here. Amelia was very upset by all of this and your place is with her now. I have an appointment day after tomorrow with the lawyer. Everything will be nice and legal this time I swear and then you will be able to marry Amelia again in a few weeks." she said trying to disguise her hurt.
She never had been able to mask her feelings with Danny and he picked up on her hurt right away. He understood the hurt she was feeling. He felt it himself. Every day of his life as a matter of fact. "Look Michelle, I'll admit when I found out about the divorce being void, I lost it. At first I wanted to come down her to make sure it didnt get screwed up again, but I've been thinking since I got here and I want to help you do it rather than make sure it gets done right. The last time you went through it all alone and this time, I was us to do it together. That way we can put away the hard feelings and uncertaintly. Will you let me help you michelle?" he asked with a sincere voice.
Michelle was confused. She thought he would be furious by her leaving without him. Could she accept his offer? Could she allow him to help her put this behind them forever? She decided she was going to take the chance that he could. He had been hurt too and looked like he could use some healing. They needed to put this behind them together.
"Okay Danny, if that is what you want, then yes I would like you to come with me" she said. "Thank you"
Danny stood up and stood facing her. "Good, now that that is settled. Let's go get something to eat. I ordered room service since I didnt know when you would be coming back but I can cancel it and we can go grab some dinner" he offered.
"No thank you Danny. I already ate" she said. "But you can go ahead and eat your dinner in your room and we can talk in the morning. I have some calls to make and then I think I am going to go to bed" she said.
"Well Michelle, there's one thing more I havent told you yet. The reason the nice lady let me up here was because she thought this was my room. There are no more rooms in this hotel and this is actually my room too." he said waiting for the explosion that was sure to come.
"What are you talking about Danny? You cant stay here" she said with terrified expression.
"No really Michelle, its okay, I will sleep in the living room on the couch." he tried to explain. The expression on her face never changed though.
"Danny, I don't think it is such a good idea" she said "It is not proper with us not being married".
"Well actually Michelle, we are still married, if that is all you are worried about. But dont worry, I'm just here to help you, that's all." he said.
"Danny, you have a finacee waiting for you at home. This will not set too well with her I'm sure" she said.
"Amelia is not my keeper" he said louder than he meant "She doesnt have to know everything that goes on with me. It's not like when....." he stopped before he revealed too much.
He had been about to say before he caught himself was that it wasnt like when they were together. Michelle always knew where he was and what he was doing. They had no secrets.
"Anyway, we are not married yet so she won't mind" he lied. Amelia would mind alright. She would mind alot. She knew how he felt about Michelle. She knew she was second choice and had wanted him anyway even under those conditions.
Their awkward silence was broken by a knock on the door. Good, his supper was here. He was starving. He went to the door and stepped back to allow the bellboy to roll his supper into the room on a cart. He tipped the bellboy and closed the door. "Look, let me eat this and then I will try to find a room somewhere else if thats what you want" he said.
Michelle couldnt resist those eyes. Surely she could handle one maybe two nights. She was an adult after all. He was not here for any other reason than to help her to dissolve their once happy marriage. She had the sudden urge to cry but squelched it. "Okay Danny you can stay, but if Amelia finds out and gets mad, then its your own responsibility?" she said.
"Okay" Danny agree and he excused himself into the living room to eat. He closed the door between the rooms and set the tray on the coffee table.
She had been scared of him staying with her. He was beginning to question the wisdom of his decision himself when he imagined them staying two nights together. If he would just be honest with himself, he would see that he wanted this last time with her. He wasnt ready to leave her just yet. He had gotten stronger the last couple of months and it appeared that she had too, so they could spend this time in rembrance and not retaliation.
He still loved her and he still desired her, but this wasn't about that. God knew he felt guilty enough making love with Amelia and thinking about Michelle. He still felt like he was being unfaithful to Michelle even though there were divorced or so he thought.
Had Michelle found anyone else to love? Heh ad tried not to dwell on the past, but he heard things every now and again and Michelle's name had come up a time or two. He usually told himself it didnt matter but he knew it for the lie that it was. It mattered alot.
Her name had come up recently with a fellow named Rob who was another resident at the hospital. He wondered what Rob meant to Michelle.
He turned his attention to his steak. It was delicious and soothed his hunger right away. Not his hunger for Michelle though. Nothing would ever soothe that.
Disgusted with himself for pursuing this line of thinking yet again, he pushed the tray of food away and went to the phone. He needed to call Amelia and now was as good as any. He was not looking forward to talking with her with his mind on Michelle but he had to call her before it got too late.
He dialed her number and was told by her brother Ricardo that she was at his house having dinner with his mother. She was with Carmen, what a shock, he thought sarcastically. Those two were joined at the hip. Carmen adored Amelia.
Carmen could have adored Michelle if she had only given her a chance. She hated the fact that Danny had loved Michelle so much. She couldnt control his love for Michelle.
She had been thrilled beyond imagination when he had given Michelle the house in the divorce and moved back into their house.
Danny knew he shouldn't have moved back in with Carmen but he knew it was where he belonged now. Just like Cinderella, the clock had struck midnight and his beautiful fairy tale was over. Time to go back to the wicked queen.
Carmen had practically thrown Amelia in his bed. She began telling him how wonderful she was and how she had always found him exciting. He needed to put Michelle and the unpleasantness behind him and move on. He told her never to refer to his son as the unpleasantness again and she had apologized. She only wanted him to be happy, she had said.
He knew what a lie that was. His happiness had been with Michelle and she had hated every second he was with her.
He had allowed himself to be drawn in with Amelia simply because being without Michelle hurt too damn much. Carmen had practically planned the wedding after the first date.
He didnt care. He had told Amelia that first night that he loved Michelle and would never stop. He told her that he hadnt wanted the divorce and if Michelle were to call him and tell him she had made a mistake and wanted him back, he would go in a second.
Amelia had said none of that mattered and that she wanted him to be happy and she really belived she could be the one to do that now. She was just like Carmen, Danny had thought, never heard a word he was saying.
He chuckled to himself, when he realized that no matter how you looked at it, he was marrying his mother.
*******************************
"But Carmen, are you sure this is a good idea. Danny told me to stay here" Amelia said.
Amelia Sanchez was indeed Carmen's perfect choice for a wife for Danny but she did have that irritating habit of sniveling and whining occassionally. Danny would have to take her in hand about that.
"Yes Amelia, I am sure. Danny needs you down there with him. I cannot go because I have a very important board meeting but I am sending Ben with you. You leave in the morning. Just find out from Danny when he calls what hotel he is staying at and then you can surprise him tomorrow night" she said.
Amelia digested this information. The more she thought about it, the more she liked the idea. It was perfect. She would be by his side as he dissolved his marraige for the second time to the sainted MIchelle.
She knew Danny still imagined himself in love with Michelle, but that was all going to change soon. Soon he would love her and not Michelle. Michelle hadnt known how to handle a man like Danny and ultimately had lost him.
It bothered her somewhat that he still called for Michelle when they made love but that too would change. In actuality they had only made love three times despite her attempts to get him into her bed everytime they met.
She knew the only time she could coerse him into her bed was when he was really lonely for Michelle or their baby. She would make sure she didnt put any of Danny's children that she carried at risk the way Michelle had. Being Danny's wife and the mother of his children was going to be her career. Michelle simply has not loved Danny enough to put him or their baby first. Carmen had been right about Michelle Bauer.
She had wondered for a little while if Danny would ever be able to love her and their children. Carmen had told her how devestated he had been at the loss of his son. She had seen the way he had been scared of Amy's little girls at first but then he had softened towards them. Little seashell had him wrapped around her little finger and Alaina made Danny smile like noone she had ever seen. She had put aside her fears about him being able to love another child. He may never grow to love her the way that she loved him, but he would love their children. Of that she was certain.
She focused on Carmen's idea. She had better get home and pack if they were to leave in the morning. She would be going with Ben Warren. That was fine with her. He was someone she wouldnt mind getting to know better if she hadn't already found Danny. She suspected her future mother in law thought Ben Warren was hot too by the way she followed him with her eyes. She doubted Carmen would know what to do with a man like Ben. He was the only person besides Danny who didn't give in to Carmen's every wish.
She would go down to the Dominican Republic and make her claim on Danny just in case Michelle Bauer forgot who was going to be the new wife and who was going to be the ex wife.
"Your right Carmen" she said. "I shall go home and pack now" and headed out of the door. She made a mental note of which negligee she should pack just in case Danny himself needed reminding just who was to be his wife.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Danny was awakened by a moan. Michelle's moan. Funny, he was just dreaming about Michelle moaning, but it didnt would anything like this.
He got out of bed and pulled on his pajama bottoms. He walked over to the closed bedroom door. It was probably locked too, Danny thought.
He heard it again. It was definately Michelle moaning. It sounded like she was in pain. He gently tapped on the door "Michelle?" he said softly. No answer. He knocked a little louder and called her again.
"Go away" he heard her say.
"What's wrong Michelle?" he said and tried the door knob. It wasnt locked. He found her on top of the covers clutching her pillow to her stomach with her knees drawn up. She was wearing his old shirt, the one she had always used as a nightgown. He had always thought she never looked sexier than when she was wearing one of the shirts and nothing else. He would have thought she would have gotten rid of his shirts like she had gotten rid of him.
He went to the bed and sat down. "What is it Michelle? Is it your period?" he asked without embarrassment. He knew Michelle had a rough time with her period and had painful cramps. He had always helped her through them.
"No, it's not my dumb period. Now go away and let me die in peace" she said. She thought she was going to throw up and she didnt want to disgrace herself in front of Danny.
"If its not your period, then what is it?" he asked with genuine concern. "Tell me whats wrong".
"Sausages" she managed to say.
"Pardon me" he said. Did she just say sausages?
"I ate those sausages and now I am sick" she said clutching her stomach.
"Are you gonna throw up?" he said and she nodded her head. He ran to the bathroom and got the trash can. He got it under her chin just in time. Man, if that was what the sausages has smelled like when she ate them, no wonder she got sick.
"Are you finished?" he asked and she nodded and laid her head back down. He went to the bathroom and got a cool cloth and wiped her forehead.
"Feel better?" he asked.
"Yes thank you" she said still clutching her stomach.
"Does your stomach still hurt?" he said and again she nodded.
"Do you want me to rub it like I used to?" he asked and she nodded again.
She had used to have an awful time with periods and he found that massaging her stomach and using a heating pad would help with the painful cramps.
"Are you sure" he said and she answered him back "Yes I am sure. "
"Okay but first you have to give me the pillow" and she smiled. She handed him the pillow and laid flat on her back. He began to unbutton the two bottom buttons. Please dear God, please let her be wearing panties, he prayed. He didnt know if she had gotten back into that habit or not. She had worn them when they had first gotten married, but then she began to leave them off altogether when they went to bed.
He was vastly relieved to find a pair of pale blue panties adorning that particular area of Michelle.
He lifted her shirt up a bit to expose her stomach. He massaged her stomach gently the way he used to.
"Better?" he asked and she opened her eyes then.
"Yesssss" she hissed and Danny was rendered immobile. His hand stopped its healing touch and just lay dormant on her stomach.
Her breathing was taking on a very different rhythm. It was matching his own. Her lips were parted in invitation and he felt her arch her back a little the way she had done when they had been married. She was telling him she wanted him without words.
If he didnt leave now, there would be no question of him leaving at all tonight and he coudlnt do that to either of them. They had their lives back on track and a night like this could do some serious damage to their fragile hold on sanity.
His eyes never left hers when he said with an agonized voice "Michelle we cant"
"Why Danny?" she answered.
"Because we are divorced, or we thought we were, or we are about to be, or, oh hell" he siad thrusting his hands through his hair.
He thought of Amelia then. He had never been true to her and now it looked like there was a real possibility he could betray her with his body and not just with his mind. He was going to make love to Michelle. He knew it. Could he make love to Michelle and then just walk away? Oh God, he had to get out of here.
He stood up to leave but she gently touched his arm with her shaking hands. "One last time Danny. To erase all the hurt" and he was lost. The consequences would be great in the morning but the chance to be with Michelle had presented itself and he knew he had to take it. He had to take it or he would live the rest of his life only half alive, hell he was going to do it anyway without her.
"Michelle, please tell me to leave. I cant do it by myself. Please tell me to go back into the living room before I give in to something that is only going to hurt us both" he pled.
"Danny, I wasnt fair to you when we were married. I hurt you by accusing you of not loving Will. I know I will never get over his death but I can do something about what I did to you. Can you let me give you this one thing before we are finished. No promises, no commitments, just you and me sharing what we felt about Will and how much we had once loved each other." she said.
Danny needed no more convincing. He stepped out of his pajama bottoms and went to join her on the bed. He unbuttoned her shirt and starting kissing her. He roughly removed her panties the only barrier between them "Im sorry baby but I cant go slow. I'm sorry" he said as she felt him perched above her ready to enter her.
The phone rang and made both of them jump. Damn Danny thought. "Dont answer it Michelle' he said.
"I have to. I left a message for Mr. Wallace that I was here and asked him to call me back. It will only take a second. Dont go anywhere " she said and reached to answer the phone.
It wasnt Mr. Wallace though, It was the worse possible person it could have been at that moment. "Hello Michelle" Amelia said. "I thought this was Daniel's room. May I please speak to my fiancee" and Michelle handed Danny the phone.