Michelle stood in the cabin's tiny kitchen, humming happily to herself as she attempted to cook dinner. She hadn't brought very many groceries with her on her "vacation" and she hadn't exactly been expecting...company. Michelle smiled a private little smile to herself as she thought,"And what company I have."
It was all she could do to keep from hugging herself with joy. Things were falling into place. She and Danny were going to make a life together, no matter what. Her husband - God how wonderful it felt to call him that - was outside, making some calls on his cell phone. Michelle stamped down the brief disappointment that rose up when she thought of him discussing the "business". "It doesn't matter, Michelle." she whispered."He loves you and that has to be enough right now."
The storm had finally let up earlier that afternoon and now a beautiful sunset colored the room in purple,orange, pink, and gold. Michelle looked around her and knew she would always remember this time as one of the happiest in her life. Her smile widened as she heard the front door open.
"There you are!" she called out without turning around. "I was beginning to wonder if you were ever coming back. Dinner's almost ready. I think half the chicken is hopelessly burned, but the rest should be edi-" Her cheerful ramble was cut off as Danny pulled her around and into his arms. His kiss caught her by surprise and the spoon she's been holding clattered to the floor as she wrapped her arms around him. This kiss was different. It weakened her knees and quickened her pulse like all his kisses did, but there was something different. Michelle couldn't quite put her finger on it, but it was almost as though he were...afraid. "Don't be ridiculous, Michelle." she told herself."What on earth does he have to be afraid of now?"
Michelle didn't let go off Danny as the kiss ended. She was afraid that if she did, her legs would give out."What was that for?" she asked breathlessly. Danny didn't reply for a long while, but stared deeply into her eyes.Finally he said, "I love you. I just want you to know that."
A chill of apprehension ran through Michelle."Of course I know that. Why wouldn't I?" Something strange flickered in Danny's eyes."I don't know. I just wanted to make sure that you knew, no matter what, that you were loved."
Michelle shook off her feeling of dread. Danny had always been a little cryptic, hadn't he? It was just part of who he was. "I know I'm loved,Danny. And so are you." She leaned forward and kissed him gently."Now help me set the table." Danny smiled at her, but the smile didn't quite reach his eyes."So now you've got me doing manual labor,huh?" "Don't worry." Michelle tossed over her shoulder as she picked up the salad bowl."You'll get your payment ."
"Oh really?" Danny said softly as he came up behind her and nuzzled her neck.
Michelle sighed and forced herslef to pull away."Not now, though. First, you have to be astounded by my culinary wizardry."
Danny laughed as he finshed setting the table."If I must, I must."
They ate dinner in companionable silence for a long time before Michelle asked, "So what were your calls about?"
Danny's fork halted halfway to his mouth. "I really don't want to talk about that if that's alright with you."
Michelle counted silently to ten until most of her annoyance had left her."Actually, Danny, it's not totally alright with me.I thought we both agreed that there weren't going to be anymore secrets between us." Danny took her hand across the table."There aren't any secrets between us, baby. There aren't."
"How can you say that?" Michelle cried out. "I don't like feeling shut out."
"I'm not trying to shut you out, Michelle." Danny said, his eyes flashing with anger."I'm trying to keep you safe!"
"I don't want to be 'safe', Daniel!" she snapped, the sliverware clinking as she banged her hand down on the table. "I want to feel like-" a sob began to rise up in her throat."I want to feel like I matter to you."
Danny was out of his chair and kneeling in front of her in seconds."You do matter to me." he said passionately."You matter more than anything else in my life."But I...I can't tell you about the business, Michelle. It puts you in too much danger."
"So you can share your bed with me, but not your life, is that it?" Michelle demanded angrily.
Danny hung his head for a moment, taking deep breaths. "Michelle," he said at last."Please don't argue with me about this. Not tonight. When we-" his voice suddenly sounded very strange."When we go...go home, I'll tell you everything you want to know, ok?"
Michelle reached out a hand and hesitantly stroked his hair.Something was definitely wrong.She didn't know what yet, but a voice inside her told her not to waste the time they had now fighting. Again, a cold fear went through her. "Oh, Danny." she whispered brokenly. "Are we ever going to get past this?"
Danny looked up at her and she thought she saw tears in his eyes."Of course we will,Michelle. Of course we will."
"Your lips say one thing. Your eyes say another." Michelle said quietly.
Danny picked up her hand and kissed her palm."Enough." he murmured against her skin."We said we were done fighting. Now get down here and kiss me."
Slowly, Michelle lowered herself out of her chair and onto her knees, facing him. "I love you." she whispered as their lips met. Danny kissed her as though he were drowning and she were his lifeline. The same way he'd kissed her in the kitchen.
Without breaking their kiss, they both stood and Danny picked her up and carried her to their bed.
"I want to always remember this." Danny said as he kissed her neck.
"You won't have to remember." Michelle replied as their hands tore at buttons."I'll always be here."
Danny didn't reply, but kissed her soundly again as he lowered himself onto her.
*****
Michelle could feel sleep wrap curly tentacles around her, but she tried to resist the urge. For some reason, she wanted to stay awake. She didn't want to miss a moment of being in Danny's arms. His breathing told her he was awake too, but they were both silent.Michelle sighed as she moved more firmly against him. How had she ever thought she hated him? How could she have lived those two months so close to him and never experience this? A sleepy smile curved her lips as she thought to herself,"Ok, so you were an idiot, Michelle Bau- Michelle Santos. But you've come to your senses now."
Michelle fell asleep dreaming of her husband and a little black-eyed baby in her arms.
Danny looked over at his wife when he was sure she was sleeping.
"Now!" a voice in his head commanded."Do it now, while she's asleep. It'll be easier that way."
Danny felt tears sting his eyes.
He knew he had to do this.
There was no other way.
But he couldn't do it just yet. So he lay there and watched her sleep.