Graduation Fic
By Shamone
The sound of his voice replayed in her head as the Graduation march played. She couldn't help it. As special as this day was, it was marred by his absence. Michelle knew Danny was sincere in his apology. He had called from New York at 4 a.m. to tell her a line of thunderstorms had the airlines backed up. He had missed his connection and there was no way he'd make it there in time. Michelle was disappointed but understood that Danny's work in Spain the past few months was vital to their future. It had been five long years, but at last Danny was finalizing details to make a complete and legal break from the family of crime. It was difficult and emotional for him and she didn't want to push it by whining that he missed her graduation day. Afterall, he had gone out of his way to try to make it back in the first place.
"I'll make it up to you. I promise," she could hear his exhaustion and the chaos of the airport in the background. Danny was yet to break a promise to her.
"I know you will. Just get some sleep, OK?"
"OK. I'm sorry. You know I'm so proud of you..."
"Danny, I know. I'm proud of you, too. Call me when you get details of your flight. I'll pick you up at the airport, all right?"
"Sure," he sighed his frustration. "I love you, Michelle. Remember that when you walk across that stage to get your degree. I love you with all of my heart."
"I will. I love you, too."
The springtime sun was unusually hot. An outdoor ceremony was beautiful, but suddenly Michelle wondered why she was even there. It seemed like a waste of time without her husband. She and Danny had been through so much together. She couldn't have made it through medical school without his support. Sure, Rick and Abby were there with her father and the kids. So was Aunt Meta and Jesse and Drew. Little Jesse was getting so big, Michelle thought to herself as she waved to the 2-year-old in the crowd. He was a beautiful little boy. Her eyes scanned the crowd, searching for Danny. Maybe there was a miracle, she hoped. But no luck. She smiled when she spotted Pilar and Bill. Pilar had just given birth to their first child, a son who looked so much like Danny it broke Michelle's heart. Still, she blew a kiss and continued to smile. She was so lucky to have the friends and family she had. Even if her soulmate couldn't be there.
"God I wish you were here," she whispered before settling in her seat to listen to the first speaker. "You've been gone way too long."
"Michelle Bauer Santos."
She walked across the stage proudly when she heard her name. Even five years after Danny left his family and turned legit there was still a negative stigma attatched to the Santos name. But she didn't care. He was her husband and she loved him and she was proud to share his name. She waved her degree above her head and blew kisses to her family as they cheered. Michelle remembered Danny's words as she took her seat again. He was proud of her and that meant the world.
*** "Rick! I cannot see anything. I was blind once and don't want to be that way again," Michelle reached for the blindfold and tried to tie it loose.
"Just wait little sister. We're almost there! Turn this way," he guided her towards a set of stairs. "Now we're approaching stairs so go slowly."
"Rick this is ridiculous. Tell me where we're going. I'm gonna kill myself," she managed to stop herself from stumbling with her brother's help.
"SURPRISE!!!" Michelle was truly overwhelmed. All of her friends, family and associates were gathered in the most beautiful dining room she had ever seen. The room was decorated in romantic roses and other greenery. A long table in the distance was being tended to by a catering staff in all white and a string quartet played her favorite classical songs.
"Oh my God. This is so sweet. Thank you so much!!" Michelle tried her best not to cry, but it was all over when her little daughter waddled over and handed Michelle a single rose. She bent and picked her up, instinctively pushing the loose ebony curls from her brown eyes and straightening a pink bow before kissing the child's forehead. Rosita Maureen Santos came along exactly nine months after Michelle and Danny renewed their wedding vows nearly two summers ago. At 18 months, she was Michelle's biggest blessing and sometimes curse. Rosie, as her parents affectionately called her, was definitely her father's daughter. With the exception of her sassy attitude, which was all Michelle. "Is this for me, honey? Thank you, baby."
"Daddy...daddy flowers..." Michelle looked at her daughter with confusion, continued to dote over her dress and ignored the babble. "Da-da..."
"I know we miss Daddy. Daddy will be home soon," Michelle's breath was taken away when she looked up.
"The flower goes with these," Danny handed Michelle a bouquet of roses.
"Danny?! Oh my God. What are you doing here?"
Danny's smile stretched across his face and he reached for his baby daughter. "What a welcome, huh, little girl?" He tickled her belly as she snuggled her giggles into his chest. "I bribed a pilot to charter a private jet for me. Costed me a fortune but I made it back in time," he placed a gentle kiss on Michelle's lips. "Congratulations Dr. Santos." Another kiss. And another. Their baby girl in between them began to cry and the happy couple parted. "I think someone needs changing," Danny held Rosita out away from him and scrunched his face before handing her back to Michelle. "And I think this a messy one. One for mommy."
"Oh thank you so much, Danny. What a graduation gift! Where's her diaper bag?" Michelle searched the crowd for Abby but settled for Drew. "Can I have diaper? Can't seem to find Rosie's bag," Michelle craddled her daughter against her chest.
"Who would ever think we'd be sharing diapers," Drew joked as she sifted through her purse and gave Michelle what she needed. "My how time changes things, ey?"
"Yep. Forget graduating from med school. I would settle for graduating to potty training," Michelle said. The women shared a laugh until their husbands joined them.
"Let me show you to Rosie's room, baby," Danny wrapped his arm around Michelle's waist.
"Rosie's room? What do you mean Rosie's room? This isn't our house..." She stopped mid-sentence when she realized what was happening. She squealed when Danny held up a pair of keys attached to a keychain that was engraved, simply, "The Santoses." "You didn't?"
Danny outstretched his arms and showcased the beautiful home. "Let's just say this is a home warming and graduation party. Do you like it?" Michelle was soon in his arms. "I guess that's a yes."
"Yes! It's perfect! I love it. Thank you so much," she was wiping more tears and her husband reached to help.
"What is it with you and these tears today? Enough already. You'd think you were pregnant again or something," Danny caught the look in her eyes. "Michelle?"
"I wanted to wait to tell you when you came home," she couldn't contain her smile. Danny was truly shocked. "I know it's a little sooner than we planned but things happen, you know?"
"You're gonna have another baby?" She nodded and patted her belly, cradling her now-sleeping daughter even more closely. "We're going to have another baby?" He repeated with a smile.
"Yes. A son. It's a boy."
Danny closed his eyes and quietly asked God if this was all real. "A son?" Tears brimmed his eyes. "You're carrying my son?" He placed his hand over the tiny bulge on Michelle's stomach. "Thank you." He kissed her.
"I guess we have so much more than a degree to celebrate today, huh?" She lost herself in his eyes like she did a million times before. "This truly is the beginning."
Danny pulled his wife and daughter into another embrace. "Only the beginning Dr. Santos. Only the beginning."