Michelle's Big Day
A Graduation Fic
By Sarah
Tossing the last roller into the sink, Michelle grabbed her brush and bent forward. She felt the towel start to slip as she began to brush the underside of her hair. Holding it in place with one hand and brushing with the other, she began to mutter.
"Damn, damn, damn."
"Boo!" His arms went around her as she lost her grip on the towel.
"Danny! You scared me." But the light in her eyes disagreed. Having him sneak up on her was just one of the perks of finally having a "normal" life. She noticed the gleam in his eyes and tried to back out of his embrace, losing the towel altogether.
"Now, didn't you tell me not five minutes ago that we had to hurry?"
"Changed my mind." He began to loosen his tie and Michelle saw for the first time that he was completely dressed and ready to go.
"How did you get ready so fast?"
"I'm a guy. We don't have to do whatever it was you were doing to your hair. 'Sides, I took my shower last night, remember?"
She remembered. Last night, after the party Rick and Abby had thrown in honor of her medical school graduation, she and Danny had had a little party of their own.
Michelle wasn't sure how he'd done it. He hadn't left the party at all that she remembered. But when they'd gotten home later that night, she was delighted at the sight of their little house.
Tiny lights hung from every tree and bush. Luminaries lined the drive and the walk leading to the front door. And, attached to the roof, were - the balloons.
"Oh, my Lord!" Michelle had laughed.
Danny, or someone, had blown up dozens of surgical gloves with helium and spelled out M.D. on their roof.
"How?!?" she'd finally managed to get out through peels of laughter.
"Just wait," was all that he told her as he led the way into the house. She'd gone in half expecting all her classmates to jump out wearing surgical scrubs and yelling "Surprise!"
But the house had been - just their home. No lights, no balloons, no confetti. Michelle had stopped at the front door and looked at Danny. He saw the question in her eyes and smiled. She loved his smile. He didn't do it often enough, but when he did it for her she could feel the lights come on inside her heart, and love arc like electricity between them.
He'd taken her by the hand last night and led her to their bedroom. Inside the only light came from a tiny birthday candle set in a cupcake on the nightstand. Michelle moved closer to it, and saw the words Dr. Santos scrawled in icing on top.
"I made it myself."
He'd spoken so softly Michelle had turned to look at his face in the candlelight. Were there tears in his eyes? He handed her the box. It wasn't very big, didn't weigh much and sort of rattled when she put it to her ear and shook it. Danny had laughed at that, and sat on the edge of the bed.
"Well, open it, baby."
He didn't need to prod her again. She lifted the lid and looked inside.
"Oh, Danny."
Nestled in tissue in the box were a stethoscope, and a small gold nametag, Dr. Michelle Bauer-Santos.
"I had them engrave your initials on the back of it."
For who knows what reason, this made her cry. Danny put his arms around her, not sure what he'd done wrong.
"Baby? Michelle, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to - "
"No, I'm not upset. Well, I am, but it's a good kind. This is the most thoughtful -" But she couldn't get the rest of the words out. So he took her in his arms again, stroking her hair, cradling her face.
"I love you so much. And I'm so proud of you, Dr. Santos. I just wanted you to know."
Michelle felt her heart catch in her throat. She could see love in his eyes, hear the wonder of it in his voice. Suddenly, she knew. Just knew. They were going to make it. No matter what, or who, they were going to be all right. She looked down at the stethoscope in her hands, rubbing the lettering. There was only one thing left to say.
"It's just what I always wanted."
Danny's shower came much later, after she'd given him a bath in chocolate cupcake kisses.
Michelle sat at her dressing table in the robe and made one last pass at straightening the cap on her head. Thank God for bobbie pins, she sighed. She heard Danny laughing from the other bedroom, then the tinkling sound of little girl giggles. She heard them coming down the hall, with more giggles and shushing.
"Don't even think about it, you two. We're late enough."
"Busted."
"Aw, Mom."
Michelle couldn't help but smile at the dark, curly head peeking around the doorway, three feet from ground level.
"You heared us, din't you? I tol' Daddy to be quiet, but he's HOPELESS."
With that, Danny lurched into the room, nearly doubled over with laughter. Bella may have his eyes and hair, but the exasperated expression on her little face was the mirror image of her mother's.
"I'm sorry - I'm sorry," he managed to get out. "She talks just like you!" And he was engulfed once again in an infectious, helpless laughter that sent all three of them over the edge.
During the ceremony, Michelle watched for signs of her husband's handiwork. She kept expecting the outdoor event to be interrupted with fireworks or circus clowns, her daughter's current favorites. She should have thought to look up. If she had, she might have noticed the small airplanes approaching from the southwest, pulling banners.
The first read:
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2007!
The next one:
DR. BAUER-SANTOS, ISABELLE AND DADDY SAY
The third, and largest read:
WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!
Michelle could have sworn she heard her mother's voice amid her own family's cheers when her name was called.
"I love you, sweetheart. I'll always be with you."