A Love Lost, A Love Found
Parts 17-18
Towers-The Promenade Room
Michelle and Danny are alone in the private lounge outside the Promenade Room. It is 7:30 PM and no one else has arrived yet. Michelle has spoken to Rick, who said everyone had made it into town except Claire. He had assured Michelle that Claire was coming. Michelle said she was actually excited about seeing her birth mother. She confessed that she and Danny were making great progress and that she thought maybe she could do the same with Claire. Rick warned her not to get her hopes up.
Michelle is lost in her thoughts, still in awe of her newly discovered closeness with Danny. She and Danny had slept for a couple of hours before making love again. Then, they got getting ready for dinner, all the while talking and making plans for their future.
Danny had bought Michelle casual clothes and beautiful evening wear. The dress she has on is black velvet. It is very fitted, with long sleeves, a high neck and scooped back and it comes down to her ankles. Her hair is up in a French twist with loose tendrils at the nape of her neck. She has on 3 inch black velvet pumps. The only jewelry is the 1 carat studs Danny gave her as a wedding present. She was going to hock them when she had planned to disappear, but had decided not to. They were so precious and deep down inside, Michelle knew she was keeping them because Danny had given them to her.
She is remembering that she had not gotten him anything special for their wedding; hadn't even thought about it. But Danny, as usual, had thought about her; about getting her something special for their church wedding. After the FBI had left, Danny had been talking about life not being easy all the time, but how the simplest things could keep everything in perspective. Michelle didn't know what he was talking about; he wasn't making sense. Then he said that most times, simple is best and then out of nowhere, presented a little black box to her. Tiffany & Co. Michelle was totally surprised.
Danny has on a simple black tuxedo. Michelle convinced him to wear his hair natural, with no gel. She told him she loved it that way. He teased her saying "so, you were paying attention to me?" Michelle could only laugh and she smiled now as she reminisced about their afternoon while sipping her water.
Danny notices Michelle's daze and asks "What are you thinking about?"
"Hmmm? Oh, just you, me, everything."
"Yeah?"
"Yep. You know, you look really handsome this evening."
"And you look delicious," Danny said playfully. He removes her glass from her hand and places it on the table next to his. Danny puts his arms around Michelle's waist and draws her to him. Her arms immediately go up and her hands clasp behind his neck. He just stares at her. She shivers with delight, knowing what's on his mind.
"Danny, you've got to behave," Michelle replies in the same playful tone.
"How can I, when you look so damn sexy? Just how long do we have stick around?"
"Well, let's see? I haven't seen most of the people that are coming tonight in years. My guess would be we would have to stay until everyone leaves. Besides, aren't you worn out?"
"Never. This body of yours was made to be with mine and I want to enjoy it everyday for the rest of my life." He moves his hands to her bottom and presses her to him, never taking his eyes off of her.
"Danny!" she squeals, surprised by his boldness.
"What? I'm serious. I want you...now."
"Later, loverboy." She steps out of his embrace just as the door opens. She turns around to see who it is. Danny and Michelle are both surprised to say the least; each for different reasons, though.
The guest is surprised, too.
"What are you doing here?" Danny asks? He steps up to Michelle and wraps his arms around her waist again. Michelle leans into him.
"I was invited."
"By whom? This is a private party."
Michelle is just a little confused as to why this person is here, but doesn't say anything. She gets the feeling that she should let Danny handle this...whatever it is that's going on.
"Michelle do you know anything about this?" Danny asks.
She looks up at Danny and replies, "No, Danny. I don't." Then she turns her attention back to her guest. "I'm sorry. Who invited you?"
And then, the guest answers,
"My mother, Claire Ramsey."
___________________________
Sandy Jones lived with her father, but always kept in touch with her mother. Her parents had divorced when Sandy was 3 years old and Claire Ramsey moved to Chicago to work at Cook County hospital when she was 5. Sandy's father, Sam Jones, stayed in Springfield to raise his daughter. After her parents' divorce, Sandy didn't see her mother again until she was 10. She would visit Claire every summer in Chicago from that year on. Sam never saw Claire again after the divorce. He and his ex-wife did not get along at all and all communication between Claire and their daughter would be solely between the two of them.
Sandy was a graduate student at Springfield University. She aspired to be a Psychologist like her father. It was in her blood. She was 5'5", with curly black hair that she kept short and blue eyes. She looked just like Claire Ramsey, just thinner.
Her best friend was Theresa Rivera. Actually, they were more like sisters. And Danny Santos had been like a brother. They had all been such good friends.
She had not seen Danny in over a year, but knew he and Theresa were no longer together. Sandy had always thought they couldn't make it as a couple, but wanted to support Theresa. But things just didn't work out. Sandy sensed that Danny didn't love Theresa enough to make a life-long commitment. Theresa didn't see it that way and Sandy figured she still probably hadn't. Hopefully, she had thought, both would eventually find their soul mates.
Sandy also had a love of art and noticed Jesse Blue one day at the park about two years ago. He was doing sketches of a lovely young lady. Her name was Michelle Bauer. Sandy admired their relationship and what they went through to be together. All three became good friends, but when Sandy and Michelle both got busy with school, Jesse and Michelle only saw Sandy maybe one a week. Then once a month. She hadn't seen them at all in about 4 months.
Her mother had called her yesterday to say she was coming to town. Of course, Sandy was a bit surprised seeing that her mother never came to Springfield. Then, she called back this morning to say she was still coming, but wanted to meet for dinner at the Promenade Room at Towers. Sandy just said okay and that was the end of their conversation. She could tell her mother wanted to explain whatever was going on in person and it must have been really important for her to come back to Springfield.
And now she is standing in the room with Danny Santos and Michelle Bauer. Obviously they are together. Had she been that immersed in her studies that she didn't hear about this? Does Theresa know?
"Your mother is Claire Ramsey," Michelle asked looking at Danny? All the time she knew Sandy, they never talked about names of their mother. Sandy knew Michelle's had given her up and moved to Chicago. Michelle knew that Sandy's lived in Chicago, too. But neither had ever thought that their mothers might know each other…especially both being doctors.
"Yes, honey." Sandy loved Michelle and still had the inclination to treat her as a little sister. She always called Michelle honey. "Um…you know Danny Santos?"
"Well, actually, we are married," Michelle replied going to give her friend a hug. "How do you know Danny?"
Danny also gives Sandy a hug. "She and my ex…the woman you saw me with this morning…are best friends."
"Really. I guess it's small world after all. So Sandy, you say Claire Ramsey is your mother." Whatever tension in the room is gone; replace by curiosity.
"Yes. Do you know her? And wait…you and Danny are married?" Sandy is shocked but what she hears next is an even bigger surprise.
Michelle takes Sandy and leads her to the sofa to sit down. "Sandy. You are not going to believe this, but my birth mother's name is Claire Ramsey."
"What?! Well that can't be. Our mothers must just have the same names."
"Sandy, you said your mother invited you here. Well, this party is about me. I was thought to be dead…you did hear about the Santos mansion burning down?"
"Uh…yeah, but…"
"Well, everyone thought I died in it and they were coming in for a memorial service for me. Since I am alive, though, we decided to have a little family reunion here. Tonight. And my birth mother was invited as well."
"But I remember you telling me you hadn't seen or heard from her ever?" Sandy is so confused and Michelle realizes this.
"Right, but I always knew where she was. Chicago. And you told me your mom lived in Chicago."
Danny is forgotten about, but reminds them he is there by clearing his throat. "Sandy. Michelle. Just how do you two know each other?"
"We met in the park about a year and a half ago. I saw Jesse drawing and well he, Michelle and myself kind of became friends. How did you and Michelle meet? Gosh, I need to get out more...read a paper. Wait? What's up with Jesse? Does Ther…never mind." She cuts herself off not wanting to talk about Danny's ex-girlfriend in front of his wife and Michelle's ex-boyfriend in front of her husband.
"Yes, Theresa knows. Jesse...knows. And well the way Michelle and me met is a little unconventional to say the least. I'll tell you about some day." He looks at both of them and then produces a huge grin.
Michelle and Sandy look at each other and then at him and in unison say, "What?"
"This is wonderful! You guys are sisters!" He pulls them both up and wraps his arms around them.