At Last
By Brandi
If I were a writer for Guiding Light and were given the Manny private wedding and consummation episodes to write, this is how I would have done it. (And this is how I'm going to pretend it happened.) I kept this in the format of a TV script with commercials. It's also rated PG. Of course, in my perfect Guiding Light world, they would be on the entire hour.
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Friday's show.
Danny and Michelle are in their bedroom in Casa Santos. They are spooning (Michelle's back to Danny's chest), and both are
sleeping. Michelle is in Danny's dark blue button-down shirt. Danny is shirtless, and wearing boxers.
Michelle wakes up, confused at first, then feels Danny's arm draped over her body. She smiles and slowly rolls over to face
him. She lifts her hand to his face and traces his jaw-line with her finger. Danny smiles and opens his eyes. He kisses her nose.
Michelle: Good morning.
Danny smiles and kisses Michelle's lips.
Danny: Good morning. How do you feel?
Michelle: Better. I'm sorry about last night. I really wanted to make love, but....
Danny: Michelle. Please. You were groggy from the sedative. You were in no condition to...
Michelle: I know. But I really wish we could have....
Danny: Listen to me...holding you as you fall asleep...sleeping with you in my arms...seeing your beautiful face this
morning....this is everything I want.
Danny pulls Michelle closer, her head settles into the crook of his neck.
Danny: Besides, this is the first night I've really slept since my mom faked that assassination attempt. I didn't realize how
physically and emotionally exhausted I was until I had you here, with me, safe in my arms.
Michelle slides her hand across Danny's chest as she kisses his neck.
Michelle: Well, we're both rested. We can just stay in bed all day.
Michelle rolls over on top of Danny. Danny grins and kisses her. They kiss passionately, his hands gliding over her back. Danny
stops kissing her, puts his hands on her shoulders and pushes her up.
Danny: Stop. We have unfinished business.
(Blue lighthouse flashes)
Michelle: Stop? What?
She tries to kiss him but he smiles and turns away.
Danny pats her rear end.
Danny: Common. Let's get dressed.
Michelle rolls off of Danny. He gets up and walks to the closet.
Danny: I'll shower and get dressed in one of the guest bedrooms.
Michelle sits on the bed, stunned.
Michelle: What? We're finally alone, in our bedroom, about to make love, and YOU want to get DRESSED?
Danny: Be ready in a half hour.
Danny grabs his clothes and heads out the bedroom door.
Michelle puts both hands on her head and sighs.
Michelle: Maybe Rick is right. Maybe I am nuts.
Michelle gets up from the bed. She stomps her feet and walks in the bathroom.
(Commercial)
Danny is wearing a taupe button down shirt and Dark brown dress pants. He zips up a suitcase as Michelle comes out of the
bathroom wearing a sleeveless pale blue linen dress. Her hair is curly, and pulled back in a loose ponytail.
Michelle: The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced that YOU are the one who needs to go see Dr. Bradford.
Danny laughs. He picks up the suitcase and walks to the bedroom door. Michelle smiles and laughs.
Michelle: Ooohhhh. Are we going somewhere or are you leaving me?
Danny waits for Michelle at the door. She walks up to him and he slips his arm around her waist and pulls her close. He smiles
and plants a big smacking kiss on her lips.
Danny: You know I'd never leave you. Common. Let's get out of here.
He takes her hand and they walk down the hallway, through the Santos living room where Carmen is sitting at the desk.
Carmen: Good. You're awake. I want you to...
Danny doesn't slow his pace or even look at his mother.
Danny: Good bye, mother.
Carmen: Where are you going?
Danny and Michelle walk into the foyer and toward the front door. Carmen follows them.
Carmen: Danny this is important.
Danny opens the door. They start to head out the door but Danny stops. He turns to look at Carmen.
Carmen: Danny. Where are you going?
Danny: Bye.
Danny takes his cell phone out of his pocket and drops it in the flower arrangement on the marble table next to the door.
Michelle giggles. Danny smiles. They walk out the door and Danny slams it behind them.
Carmen: Aye! Dios mio!
(commercial)
Danny is driving. Michelle is in the passenger seat.
Michelle: Common! Tell me where we're going! Danny!
Danny smiles and turns the radio up to drown out Michelle's voice. Dave Matthew's "Crash" is playing. Michelle unlatches her
seat belt, slides closer to Danny and kisses his neck. Danny smiles and lets her kiss him for a a few seconds, then he turns off the radio.
Danny: Michelle. Put on your seat belt or I'll stop the car.
Michelle: Not until you tell me where we're going.
Danny: Michelle! I'm not kidding!
Michelle: Tell me where we're going! Are you kidnapping me?
Danny: No, I think you've had enough trauma this month.
Danny breaks and makes a sharp turn to the left. Michelle falls back into her seat -- a bit surprised.
Michelle: Danny! Warn me when you are going to turn!
Danny: Should have had your seat belt on.
Michelle looks up. They are driving down a dirt road that winds through a thick stand of trees. In the distance she could see
and old Victorian home. A sign next to the road reads "Meg's B&B."
Michelle: Is this where we're staying? Oh! This is beautiful.
Danny is silent, just grinning from ear to ear. He stops the car, gets out, walks to the trunk, grabs the suitcase, and walks to Michelle's door and opens it. She takes his hand and gets out.
(commercial)
Michelle and Danny are standing next to his car looking up at the old Victorian home.
Danny: Understand why I wanted to get out of the house and come here?
Michelle: Oh, yes!
Michelle places her hand on the back of his neck and kisses him. They join hands and walk to the steps leading to the front
porch. The door opens and Ray steps out.
Ray: Hi Michelle.
Michelle: Oh my Ga... Ray! What are you doing here?
Danny: This place is owned by one of Ray's parishioners.
A lovely older woman with long grey wavy hair pulled back with a barrette steps out. She walks over to Michelle and Danny
and extends her hand.
Ray: This is Margaret Adams. She owns this place.
Margaret: Hello. Danny, nice to finally meet you. Michelle. Hello. Please call me Meg.
Danny: Thanks for accommodating us on such short notice.
Meg takes the suitcase from Danny.
Meg: Everything's been taken care of. Michelle, please enjoy yourself. My home is your home.
Michelle: Well...I'm speechless...thank you....
Ray: Meg recommended the perfect spot, Danny. Follow me.
Ray goes down the steps, walks past Danny and Michelle, and walks around to the side of the house.
Danny smiles at Michelle. He raises an eyebrow. He tugs her hand and they walk to follow Ray.
Michelle: Danny? Is this our...I mean...did you plan....
Meg : Michelle. Danny. I almost forgot.
Meg catches up with them and hands Michelle a small bouquet of white roses, wrapped in a ivory satin ribbon.
Michelle: Thank you, Meg. Danny? How did you....
Meg kisses Michelle on the cheek. She smiles at her and turns to walk back into the house.
Michelle: Meg, please, come with us. I'd love to share this with you.
Meg: OK, but let me get something I left in the house.
Meg walks back into the house. Michelle takes Danny's arm and they walk down a narrow path to Ray, who is standing in an
opening near a creek.
(commercial)
Ray kisses Michelle on the cheek. He hugs Danny.
Ray: Ready?
Michelle is teary.
Danny: Oh, yeah!
Michelle just nods her head.
Danny and Michelle face each other.
Ray: We are gathered here to join the souls of Danny and Michelle.
Danny reaches into his pocket and pulls out Michelle's wedding band. She gasps.
Ray: Danny, do you take Michelle to be your wife. Will you comfort her in sickness, and in health. Will you promise to love
her, honor her, and cherish her for the rest of your life.
Danny puts the ring on Michelle's trembling finger and looks into her eyes.
Danny: Oh, yes I do.
Ray: Michelle, do you take Danny to be your husband. Will you comfort him in sickness, and in health. Will you promise to
love him, honor him, and cherish him for the rest of your life.
Michelle: I.......I do....I do...but I don't have the ring.
Danny: Look at the roses.
Michelle looks down and Danny's wedding band it tied to the ribbon. She laughs.
Michelle: You thought of everything, didn't you?
She tries to untie the ribbon but she's shaking.
A voice from behind them: Here let me help.
Michelle is startled to see Meg and a very handsome older man standing behind them. Meg steps forward, takes the roses from
Michelle, unties the ribbon and removes the ring. She smiles and hands it to Michelle. Michelle has tears streaming down her
face. Danny reaches up and wipes her cheek. She takes his left hand and places the ring on his finger.
Ray: Danny and Michelle, you have renewed you vows before God and these witnesses. I now pronounce you husband and
wife. Hey. You've done this before. Go ahead and kiss her.
Danny smiles, cups Michelle's face in his hands and kisses her.
Ray: Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Santos.
Danny and Michelle pull apart. Michelle laughs. She wipes the tears from her face and hugs Ray. She turns around and Meg
hands her the roses and kisses her cheek. The man next to Meg shakes Danny's hand.
Man: I'm Jack, or Mr. Meg.
Danny laughs. Michelle puts her hand out Jack takes her hand and kisses it.
Jack: You know, Meg and I were married on this exact spot almost forty years ago. You're almost as beautiful as she was that
day.
Meg: Oh, Jack. Look at her. She's glowing.
Jack: And so are you.
Ray: Well. I've got to go. I have to do Mass this afternoon. Father Alonso has a cold. Goodbye. I love you both.
Ray places his hand on Michelle's shoulder and smiles. He walks over to Meg and kisses her cheek. He shakes Jack's hand.
Ray: See you in mass on Sunday?
Meg: If I can drag Jack with me.
Ray walks up the path towards the driveway.
Danny and Michelle are still holding hands, just staring into each other's eyes.
Meg: Here's your room key. We have no other guests this week. Whatever you need is yours.
She gives Danny the key, turns to her husband and they walk up the path arm in arm.
Michelle: Oh...Danny....I'm still in shock...how did you plan this.....
Danny: You fell asleep pretty early last night....and...well...let's just say I'm Ray's slave for the rest of my life.
Michelle: It was perfect.
Danny: I love you.
Michelle I love you...oh...I do.
Danny and Michelle kiss.
(Commercial)
The setting is a large bedroom with rose chintz wallpaper and oak paneling. The room includes an oak four-poster bed with
white satin sheets. To the left is a fireplace with an ottoman in front of it. To the right is a set of french doors leading to a balcony. The room is full of white candles and white roses. Danny opens the door and carries Michelle into the room.
Michelle: Oh, this is....this is beautiful. Danny...oh...
Danny kisses Michelle and shuts the door with his foot. They continue kissing as he walks to the center of the room and puts
Michelle down. Michelle pulls her mouth away from Danny just far enough to speak.
Michelle: Danny, I can't wait another minute. I feel so connected to you...in every way...I want you to make love to me.
Michelle reaches back to unzip her dress..
Danny: No, wait. I want to undress you.
Michelle smiles.
Etta James' "At Last" plays in the background.
Danny bends down and takes off one of Michelle's shoes, then the other. He slides his hand up her leg as he stands. He wraps
his arms around her waist and lifts her to kiss him. They kiss, her arms around his neck. He puts her down, stops kissing her
and looks down at her body. He takes a deep breath. He slides his hands up her back to the top of her shoulders. He slowly
unzips the back of her dress. He slides his hands between the dress and her back. She moans. He unfastens her hair band and
her hair falls down around her shoulders.
Michelle unbuttons his shirt slowly and looks up at him and smiles. Danny nods his head. She gets to the last button and pulls his shirt up out of his waistband.She moves her hands up his bare chest to his shoulders and she pushes his shirt off. He stops caressing her back and takes off his shirt. Michelle touches his bare shoulders and slowly moves her hands down to his waist.
Danny Bends down to one knee, and puts his hands on Michelle's thighs. He slides his hands up under her dress as he slowly
stands. She lifts her arms up and he pulls the dress up over her head and tosses it behind him. Michelle is wearing a white satin
camisole and white satin tap pants. She laughs. She wraps her arms around his neck. He picks her up and carries her to the
bed, gently laying her down on the bed. He kneels on top of her. They kiss, each moaning, their breathing deepens. He stops,
pulls away, looks down at her body, then up at her face.
Danny: My God. You are beautiful!
She furrows her brow and pulls him down to her.....
(end of Friday...now you have to wait all weekend to see what happens on Monday!)
At Last-Monday's show
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