A Snowy Night
Part 4
By Kellie
Danny stretched his arm out, blocking Michelle's path into the bathroom. "Damn it Michelle, you're not going anywhere until you hear me out."
"Get out of my way, Danny."
"No, we're going to work this out right now. "
Michelle turned away from him marched over to the bed. She sat down and clutched a pillow to her chest. "I don't think there's anything to work out - I just don't understand why you did this. Why couldn't you let the truth come out on it's own?"
"Michelle, I couldn't stand by and watch you go to prison, or worse - for something you didn't do. I'll do whatever it takes to save you - I love you too much to stand back and do nothing. This whole trial - the whole judicial system is a joke. Whoever set you up would do anything to keep from being found out. Look at Ruth Lockhart - we know she lied. I was just fighting back the only way I could. If Jesse could've just kept a lid on Drew, no one would have known. Len did hear you; he just didn't see you. Technically, it wasn't a lie. I can't let whoever framed you win." Danny moved to stand in front of Michelle. He reached out and put his finger under her chin and tilted her head to look at him. "I love you - I'll do anything to keep you safe."
"Okay - I understand why you did this. I still don't like it." Michelle got up and tossed the pillow on the bed as she walked back to the window. "There's still the issue of your mother. I think she did this - I think she set me up."
"Michelle, my mother has gone out of her way to be supportive through the whole trial. I told you that at the courthouse; the only way my mother could have set you up was if she had killed Ben herself. I don't believe she killed him - you didn't see her at his grave. For some reason, she loved Ben. I'll never understand why, but I could tell she loved that piece of slime."
"That's just it, she's been way too supportive considering everything that's happened between us. Your mother's not my biggest fan and she's been playing the part of the concerned mother in law to the hilt. It just doesn't add up," Michelle replied as she walked towards the bathroom door.
Danny moved to stand between Michelle and the doorway. "Michelle, I understand why you think my mother is behind this whole mess - considering the history between the two of you. Maybe you're right, and if I find proof of her involvement - I'm not sure what I would do."
"Danny, what do you mean by if I find proof - are you going look into the possibility that she set me up, no matter what the outcome."
"Yeah. We need to know, one way or the other."
Michelle turned to look out at the snow again. "Ross thinks our only chance now is for me to take the stand tomorrow."
"What! Are you sure you're up for dealing with Ms. Wolfe's cross-examination? That woman is a viper. It won't matter what you say, she'll twist it all around."
"Danny, I can handle this. I have faith that Ross will be able to make it all come out right. I don't have any other options left - short of the real killer coming forward and confessing."
Danny silently contemplated all Michelle had said for several minutes. As he wrapped his arms around her from behind, he said, "I love you and I'll go along with whatever you think you need to do. I just want you to be certain you can handle it."
They stood there for a long time watching the snow. Danny nuzzled her neck and Michelle reached up and ran her fingers through his dark curls.
"Sweetie, I forgot to get my purse out of the car. Would you mind?" Michelle asked.
"So that's why you didn't answer your cell phone when I tried to call. No, I don't mind. I'll be right back."
Michelle slipped on her coat as she watched from the door as Danny made his way to her car. While he was looking for her purse, she grabbed a handful of snow. Danny saw her hands behind her back as he returned. "You wouldn't dare."
"I don't know what you're talking about." Michelle replied sweetly as she continued to form a ball in her hands. The next thing they knew, they were in the midst of a huge snowball fight. Michelle turned to make another snowball. Suddenly she felt a hand tug on the neck of her coat and shirt. "You better not do that!" she cried out as a handful of snow went sliding down her back. "Oh! You're definitely going to pay for that."
Danny wrapped his arm around her waist and whispered in her ear, "I think I would love to pay for that, inside."
"I think I like that idea. I'm a little cold and I'd bet you could help me warm up." Michelle replied.
"I definitely want to help you get all that snow out of your shirt."
"Well, that explains that little trick," she said as they walked inside, hand in hand.
Part
5