A Love Lost, A Love Found
Parts 1-2
LNJ writes: Michelle never saw Mrs. Silva.
The events of the formal wedding night happened as they did on the show.
Michelle was questioned by the Santos' attorney the next morning. The story
picks up that evening.
Santos Mansion February 17, 1999 5:20 PM
"I'm sorry Danny, Rick, but we could not find any signs of a body. The
house and everything in it is gone. Hardly able to tell that a mansion once
stood there." An emotional Frank had just finished speaking with the Fire
Commissioner. The fire was just too intense, and nothing was recognizable.
Michelle Santos had not been seen since a couple of hours before the fire and
had not been found. Everyone assumed she had perished in the fire. Frank would
have to tell his own family about the loss. The whole town would mourn this
tragedy for a long time.
Danny just stared at the smoldering remains, hiding his emotions. While Rick and
Abby held each other, crying...wailing. Carmen watched her son, aware that he
was hurting because she knew Danny had grown to love Michelle.
Michelle. My son's killer. My son's wife. My eternal enemy. It's best this way.
Michelle. Carmen smiled inwardly.
Laurel Falls
Michelle had hidden in a cave that she had discovered when she was a little
girl. She was so glad to be free, but Michelle realized she really wasn't free.
As soon as the commotion died down, she would be leaving Springfield late
tonight for good...
And the nightmare of being married to the mob. Michelle may have been free from
the mob and Danny due to her untimely death, but not free to live anymore. Not
as Michelle Bauer. Or Michelle Bauer Santos, wife of Danny Santos.
Danny Santos. I hate him. Or do I? I just can't breathe in that house, around
Danny. Danny is different, but...he's a Santos. Mick's brother. Carmen's son.
I'm going to miss Danny. Yes, I admit it. Jesse is the love of my life, but
Danny is the one who makes me feel alive. Jesse. Danny. Danny. Carmen. Ugh. I
had to do this.
Michelle had thought of everything and was well prepared for that evening. She
had been planning her escape for 3 weeks. Her backpack had a change of clothes,
toiletries and snacks. Michelle had kept $2000 of the $10,000 she and Danny had
received from the wedding guests. She got new ID; blue contacts and she would
cut and dye her hair once she got to her new home. Maybe she will find another
good life...another love.
It was perfect. The FBI would come down hard on the Santos, especially after our
conversation last night. Michelle had thought about the witness protection
program, but the Santos probably have moles in the FBI. No. Everyone needed to
believe Michelle was dead. The FBI could not be let in on her plan.
No one knew of her plan. Not even Drew.
Drew. It's because of her that I have sacrificed my life AGAIN. First, by not
going to the police about both our roles in Mick's death. Second, by not telling
Danny the complete truth...that Drew was involved and had hit Mick first. And
now, this. The death of Michelle Bauer Santos.
Back at the Santos Mansion
Danny's thoughts...
Michelle Bauer Santos. My wife. She's dead. And she wouldn't be if I had not
married her. Or would she? By my own hand. I managed to kill her anyway.
Michelle. I love you. I lost you.
_____________________________________
"Well it will be dark soon. Good thing this cave is pretty remote. Let me get my flashlight. Okay, pull up to make flashlight a lantern. There. Now just two more hours and I'll be gone. Wait. Why am I talking to myself?" Michelle was trying to stay focused. Trying to forget the last four months has been impossible. And last night was her wedding night. Normally a new beginning. And tonight her death. I wonder what Danny is doing and feeling. "Why am I always thinking about this man??? He's the reason I talk to myself now." Michelle surveyed her backpack again. Whatever else she needed would be bought when she got to her destination. Two more hours.
Rick and Abby went home. Carmen went to Towers. She had tried to convince Danny to come with her. Danny said to reserve him a suite and that he would be there later. He needed to clear his head. Carmen thought to herself "he'll get over her soon. She was only in his life a short while," and headed to Towers. She would have to call Pilar and let her know what happened to the mansion. Carmen also thought she should let some other people know as well. On her cellular phone, "Hello, dear. I have some bad news..."
"Let's see. Michelle where was it you said you loved to go? The lighthouse. Can't go there. That's yours and Jesse's place. Right." Silence. "Laurel Falls. Did you take Jesse there too?" Danny was in his car driving to wherever trying to figure out what to do next. Trying to figure out how to handle his emotions. "Michelle, I will miss you. You did something to me that can't be explained. Look at me! You've got me talking to myself." Danny sort of sighs and laughs all at once. "We never even made love and I feel, felt so connected to you." Without thinking, Danny heads out to Laurel Falls.
Rick and Abby are home with Bill, Vanessa, Matt, Holly, Drew and Jesse. Calls have been placed to Ed, Mike, Alan-Michael, Bridget and the rest of the Reardons. Rick yells from the den, "Abby, I can't find a number for Dahlia." Abby excuses herself from the guests to join him in the den. "I will look for it later. Is everyone making arrangements to come in?" Abby was trying to hold it together for Rick's sake. She knew he would break down again. Rick hugged his wife saying, "Yes. Everyone is coming in within the next two days. I asked Dad to let Claire know." "Yes, Rick. She should be here. No matter what happened between Claire and your family. She was Michelle's biological mother. Are you going to let Danny handle the arrangements?" "You know what? I don't know if he can bear it. They looked so in love yesterday. I was sure my sister had been forced into that marriage. But after that beautiful wedding and the vows, I had to believe it was real." "Hey? Let Phillip and myself handle the arrangements. Okay? He and Harley should be here soon" "Alright. I love you Abby. Let's get back to our friends." They walked back into the kitchen hand in hand.