A Love Lost, A Love Found
Parts 7-8
"Who was that Danny?" "My wife" Danny let go of Theresa's hand and started to walk away. "Your wife??? But she's dead." "Apparently not. I've got to find her." Danny leaves Theresa standing outside the elevator and heads for his car. A disbelieving Theresa doesn't know what to do next. One thing is for sure, Carmen won't hear about this from me. I'm going to wait this one out. She heads to her own car to go home.
Danny is trying to keep his emotions in check and his head clear. I'll try her cellular phone. He dials it and Michelle answers. "Hello, Danny." "Well at least you're answering your phone. Meet me at the lighthouse. NOW!" Danny hangs up, too upset to continue. How could she do this to me? And exactly what has she done? She had better have some damn good answers.
Oh shit. I have to face him. Might as well get it over with. He'll never know the truth, though. I will stick to my story and go on being Mrs. Danny Santos. Who was that woman and why does it bother me so much? I will have to deal with these feelings later. First, I have to handle Danny. Michelle dials a number on her cellular phone. "Detective Cooper please. Yeah, uh it's Michelle Bau...Santos. Could you call the FBI for me after all?" "Sure Michelle. Is everything okay?" "Yes. I just have to take care of something important." "Danny?" "Yes. He saw me. I am going to meet him now. Just tell the FBI everything I told you." "Alright. Please call if you need anything else. By the way, we are all relieved that you are not gone." "Thanks for everything Frank." They hang up.
Michelle is waiting in the lighthouse when Danny comes in. They just stare at one another for a few seconds. Danny starts first.
"Why did you drive off? Where have you been? You DO know everyone thinks you're dead?" "Yes Danny. Bill told me." "Well, Michelle? What the hell is going on?" "Look Danny, I was scared and nervous. I went to my family's cabin to get away from..." "What? To get away from me? Do you know what I was going through? How about Rick and Abby?" "Danny, I didn't know. I came home as soon as I heard." "And how DID you hear, Michelle?"
Shit. She hadn't gone over this part of the story with Bill. Or had she? I should have just stayed away. "Danny, I called Bill to talk and that's when he told me." "To talk about what? Why couldn't you talk to me? I AM your husband." "Please! You think that just because we are married that I want you or want to talk to you? We have a long way to go before I can just TALK to you Danny. This is no great love story. We are not soul mates." "Michelle, you just won't give us a chance, will you?" "Danny, I'm here aren't I? This isn't going to be easy. I knew that. But after the wedding and the FBI and that lawyer and your mother...I'm just scared and confused." "I'm sorry. You're confused? What are you confused about, Michelle?"
Danny was getting angrier by the minute. He started pacing back and forth, occasionally looking at his wife with an expression of great pain. "Are you confused about that fact that you killed my brother and instead of killing you, I saved your ass? Is it confusing to you that I have feelings, a heart, and desires? Could it be that you now realize that I also had a future planned out for me, that I, too have sacrificed a lot to save you from my mother? Tell me Michelle? Am I right? You've finally seen the light?"
Michelle didn't know what to say. All she wants to do was hug him. He was so mad and hurt. Things felt weird at that moment. Finally, Danny stopped pacing when he realized she was just staring at him. "Michelle say something." Nothing. "I didn't mean to raise my voice. You're not scared are you?" Still nothing but silence. "I was devastated. Honestly. And when I saw you, well you can imagine what can go through a person's mind when a loved one dies and then shows up alive."
Michelle's voice was barely a whisper when she finally spoke. "Devastated, Danny? You didn't look devastated when you stepped off that elevator with that beautiful woman. No, you looked the exact opposite. She looked like a loved one." She sat on the bed and looked at the floor.
"I'm sorry. We go from you being dead, but really alive to me coming off an elevator with a woman? Are you jealous?" The last sentence came out sort of as a laugh.
"I don't know Danny. I just don't know. I told you I was confused. I am truly sorry about the pain I have put everybody through. By now, everyone knows I am alive. And..." She didn't know if she should or could continue.
Danny sensed this and then knelt down in front of her. And ever so softly he began to speak, choosing his words carefully. "Michelle, please talk to me. I just want to be there for you. Do you know how guilty I felt about your "death"?" "What are you talking about Danny?" "All I kept thinking was that I was sent to kill you, saved you instead, and you died anyway." "But Danny, Bill said the fire was an accident." "I know Michelle. You are not understanding me." Danny then sits beside her on the bed, but looks past her. "It was more than guilt that I was feeling. I think...uh...I have fallen in love with you Michelle. And it broke me yesterday knowing you were gone. My beautiful Michelle. Yesterday was when I realized it." He is now looking at her. "I love you Michelle. You don't have to worry about anything or want for anything. I meant it when I said I would never let anything happen to you, well minus the fire yesterday."
Did I just hear correctly? He loves me. I don't know what to say.
"I guess your silence means your suprised and/or speechless. Well I have more to say." Danny gets up and goes to the window. He stares out of it and then turns to his bride. Before he can say anything, Michelle gets up and walks over to Danny.
"What about the woman? You looked so happy and comfortable with her." "Her name is Theresa. She is my ex-girlfriend. Actually, she is my first love. Things didn't work out between us. She heard about your death and came to me as a friend. When you saw us, we were reminiscing about the good times we had together. That's all. She was trying to take my mind off my misery. Do you believe me? Do you believe anything I've said?"
Michelle slid her hands up Danny chest and around his neck. She placed a light kiss on his lips and backed away. "Danny, I am not scared of you and I guess I believe you. I am not going to leave you despite my confusion. I AM sorry about this whole mess. Your mother must be really upset. How is she and your grandmother?"
"I don't want to talk about anybody but us." Danny stepped forward and slipped his arms around her waist. Michelle did not resist. "Michelle I know this is difficult. You probably still love Jesse and think he is THE one. But can't you give us chance? You know how I feel now. And I think I know how you feel." He sort of chuckled saying "I mean jealousy, well that says a lot, don't you think?"
All Michelle could do is laugh. "Danny you're right. I love Jesse with all my heart. I can't just turn those feelings off. But I want you to know that I will work on this marriage. I know what is expected of me." She steps out of his embrace. "And I can't confirm that I'm jealous."
"Well at least we are communicating. Look why don't you go to your brother's then meet me at Towers? I have a suite there. A two bedroom suite." "Okay. I'll see you in a couple of hours."
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Towers
Pilar is at the front desk of Towers. "Yes. Can you ring Carmen Santos, please? I'm her daughter." "Yes, ma'am," and the clerk does so.
Pilar was able to get a plane to the United States immediately. She slept surprisingly well on the plane. Once she arrived at the Springfield Airport, Pilar got her one bag and a taxi. Pilar never got used to the spoils of her family's riches. She firmly believes God has blessed her and that she should stay humble.
Being back in Springfield feels good. She didn't realize just how much she had missed home until she stepped off that plane. Pilar knew she made the right decision, coming home. Danny and her mother needed her. And what about Grandmother and Ray? She wondered how they were doing. Everybody always treated Pilar like a baby, but she was determined to show them she was an adult who cared for her family and could be there for them as well.
She is brought out of her thoughts by the clerk. "Ms. Santos says to come up to Penthouse Number 2. I will get someone to take care of your luggage." Pilar gets her own bag and says "that won't be necessary. I only have one bag. Thank you anyway." She then goes to the main elevator. "Well, Mama. Some things never change. Always the biggest and the best. Penthouse Number 2, here we come."
Millenium
"I cannot believe Michelle is alive," says a surprised Drew. She really is surprised. Drew thought she was rid of Michelle Bauer for good. Bill replies, "Yeah, it's amazing isn't it?"
Bill tells Drew the untrue version of events. He knows Drew was probably secretly glad Michelle was "dead". It's no secret that Drew wants Jesse.
"Drew, where is Jesse? I need to let him know." "I'll tell him Bill. He was already upset about Michelle marrying Danny. Then her "death". I don't know how he will react to this news." "Okay, Drew. I'm going to head on over to the Bauer's. I'll talk to you later." With that said, Bill leaves Millenium.
Drew feels like crying. She goes up to the loft to think. Michelle is back. Why couldn't she really be dead? She'll just cause more heartache and confusion for Jesse. I wonder if she is going to stay with Danny. This whole thing is too bizarre. Michelle, you won't have Jesse's feelings for long. He is meant to be with me. Jesse will probably think this is some kind of sign from God that you two belong together. I am going to make sure things go my way. I have to help my "friend" Michelle and her marriage to Danny. I need to find out what went down with the FBI, among other things. I need to find out what you plan to do now, Michelle.
Bauer Residence
I pull up the driveway. What am I going to say? My family and friends were grieving because of me within the last 24 hours and now I'm back. I really regret what I have done. I keep telling myself it was my only way out. I get out of the car and go to the kitchen door. Taking a deep breath, I open the door and enter my home. Rick, Abby and Meta are sitting at the table. They all turn at the sound of the door opening. And at once they all run to me.
"Michelle..." Rick is hugging me so tight, I can barely breathe. They are crying and Abby says between sobs, "Honey, I can't believe you are actually here. Last night was the worst night of our lives." I feel so guilty. Aunt Meta is just staring at me now. I know she senses my guilt. Finally, she comes and hugs me and says, "let's go upstairs for a moment." Rick and Abby step back and then hug each other. Aunt Meta and I go up to my room.
Once in the room, Aunt Meta closes the door and begins to speak. "Michelle, what happened? What really happened?"
I break down and start crying uncontrollably. For some reason, all the emotions in me flow out at that moment. I hadn't realized how much I was holding back. Aunt Meta embraces me until I calm down. Then, I tell her everything. The truth. About Mick and Drew. About Danny saving me by marrying me. How I planned this charade to get away from Danny and his family, but was to chicken to go through with it. How I didn't mean for my friends and family to experience such grief. I tell her that I thought every thing through, or so I had thought. I go over every detail. She doesn't interrupt me. When I am done, she finally speaks.
"Michelle, you have caused so much unnecessary pain these last 24 hours. And all because of Danny." I interject immediately, "No! Not just Danny! The family to! I had to get away from them all!" I feel so ashamed of my cowardliness.
Aunt Meta challenges my last statement. "Yes, just Danny. I didn't think things were right about this marriage and apparently I was correct. But it's obvious to me that something changed in the short period of time you've been with Danny."
I look at her with surprise. "What are you talking about?"
"You feel guilty don't you? Guilty about what you put your family and friends through, but mostly about what you put Danny through. You are falling for him, Michelle. Does he love you?" Meta takes Michelle's hand and they sit on the bed.
Michelle takes a deep breath before continuing. "He told me he loves me today. I couldn't say the same because I am not sure. And I did confess to him about my confusion." She sighs. Then, smiles as she continues. "Aunt Meta, he was great about the whole thing. I mean, yes he was upset about what I put him through, but it's like he couldn't help but be happy at the same time that I was back. It was like sweet relief for him. And for me, too. He told me feels guilty about how he has changed my life. Oh Aunt Meta, he can be so sweet and tender. I feel special when I am around him because he is always putting my needs before his own. But we really don't know one another. And there is still Jesse."
"What about Jesse, Michelle? Do you still love him?" "Yes. But it's not as intense as it was before. It's like the more time I spend with Danny, the more I forget about my feelings for Jesse. It really doesn't matter anyway. I have made up my mind to stay with Danny and make this marriage work," Michelle said the last sentence with such resolve.
"Michelle, we will support you in whatever you decide, but you need to keep us in the loop. We are your family and want to help you and be there for you. I am glad that you decided to come back. Yes, it was rough last night, but that has passed. Running away doesn't solve anything. And it sounds like you need to explore your feelings for Danny. It will be easier on the both of you if you are honest with yourself and him." Aunt Meta gets up and heads for the door. "Just remember we are here for you. And Danny is too. If he loves you like he says he does, then trust him and open up to him. Tell him your fears and hopes. But most of all, open up to yourself. We often find our true love when and where we least expect it. Now, I will let you get some rest, and I assure you that no one will ever find out the truth from me."
Michelle gets up and gives her a hug and doesn't let go. "Thanks Aunt Meta. You're the best. You and Bill. He is the only other person who knows the truth."
"And what would that be, Michelle?" Michelle looks up to see Danny standing before her, and he doesn't look happy.