A Love Lost, A Love Found
Parts 9-10
Danny had decided to go to Michelle at the Bauer's. He knew she needed time alone with her family, but he also needed to be with her. And besides, he had just told her he was in love with her. That meant being by her side no matter what…whether she wanted him there or not.
Michelle didn't seem repulsed or even shocked at his admission. Was the tender kiss her way of saying she knows how I feel and it's okay? Could she be falling in love with me? And her comments about Theresa sounded like she was jealous, maybe even hurt. I never want to hurt her.
Rick answered the door and warmly welcomed Danny in. Danny was surprised at this change of attitude. It was obvious how much Rick and Abby were happy and relieved to see Michelle. He could also tell how much Michelle means to her family. She is indeed a special woman. Thank God for sending her to me, Danny thought. I found my love.
Abby informed Danny that Michelle was upstairs with Meta and to go on up. And he did. Danny found himself outside of Michelle's bedroom door and decided to listen to his wife candidly talk to her Aunt. He knew Michelle was comfortable with Meta and would probably reveal her true feelings to Meta. So he waited and listened. Maybe Michelle would discuss her feelings for him.
He could tell they were close to the door by their voices. And then he heard her say it. "You and Bill. He is the only other person who knows the truth."
And that's when he opened the bedroom door.
"Danny." I whisper his name. Meta steps away from me, and gives me a warm smile. "I'll leave you two alone." Danny doesn't take his eyes off of me as Meta leaves the room and closes the door behind her.
I stare at Danny. He is upset and maybe hurt? My heart beats faster and I wring my hands. I am so glad to see him, but am not ready for this confrontation. "Uh…Danny… I didn't know you were here," I stammer out.
"What truth Michelle?" he asks again not wanting to hear anything but that. I try to turn away, but he gently grabs my arm to prevent me. "Michelle, what is going on?" His voice is so tender now.
"Danny, I can't…I'm not ready for this." He is looking at me with those beautiful, intense eyes. I see all the love he has for me in them. This is so hard. I want to be honest with him, if not about my feelings, at least about my stupid plan. But I can't.
He let's go of my arm and I turn away from him completely and walk to the window. He walks up behind me and wraps his arm around my waist. The feel of his arms around me makes my head spin. Then he whispers in my ear, "what truth Michelle? I think I know what it is, if that will help you to open up. And why would you tell Bill and not me?"
He knows??? Did he hear the whole conversation? If so, why isn't he upset? This man is just awesome and so understanding. How could I not fall in love with him? I don't deserve his love. I close my eyes and decide that there can be no secrets if this is going to work. I turn around in his arms and look at him. The tears are threatening to fall as I realize how much I am going to hurt him with the truth.
"I am so glad you understand. Danny, I just want to say that I never wanted to hurt you. Wait. That's not true. I did want to hurt you and your family. I felt like my back was up against the wall. I did what I had to do. I feel guilty about what I did, about leaving. Jesse was so hurt…" She is cut off by Danny.
"This is about Jesse?! You still love Jesse?! I thought you were falling in love with me. I admitted my feelings to you…did all this crazy stuff for you and it's still about Jesse?!" Danny and Michelle are both crying now. But he can't step away from her.
Oh my God, he doesn't know the truth. How many ways can I hurt him? I didn't even think how the situation with Jesse could bother him. "No Danny, this is not about Jesse. It's about me wanting to get away from you and your family."
All he heard was Jesse. "Oh, I see. You couldn't stand me and missed your precious Jesse, so you and Jesse ran away together. I sacrificed EVERYTHING for you Michelle. And this is how you show your gratitude?!" Danny is crying and is so upset. He loves this woman with all his being and all she wants is Jesse. "I can't believe I gave into you. I'm outta here. You and Jesse have a nice life."
He begins to leave, but Michelle grabs his hand with both of hers. She pleads, "Danny. It's not Jesse." "What???" Then, "You love Bill, don't you." He laughs. "That's it isn't it? You've been playing Jesse AND Me. Well, I just don't give a damn anymore." He snatches his hand from hers and turns to leave again.
"No Danny!!! I love you!!!"
________________________
That stops Danny dead in his tracks, but he doesn't look at Michelle. He just listens.
"Bill is just a great friend and Jesse…well I do love him, sort of and a part of me will always love him. But you…I love you. I am in love with you, Danny and I think that's why I did what I did. I wasn't supposed to fall for you. I mean, Jesse and me were going to spend the rest of our lives together. And then Mick started coming on to me and then he died…um…I killed him to protect myself. Then you came around looking for his murderer. You scared me, but it was more than fear. It was the feeling that you were sent directly to me by some…some force. I wouldn't admit it and couldn't admit it, but I did feel the connection. The first kiss was like nothing I had ever shared with Jesse." She moves to the bed and sits down, her head held down. Danny still doesn't move.
"You evoke such passion in me. Yes, you put everything on the line for me. I can't help but love you for that. But at the same time, I can't help but be scared for my life. Your mother wants me dead. And living in that house made me feel dead. Everything has gotten out of control, Danny. I was scared."
"You keep saying that, Michelle, as if to justify something." Danny wasn't looking at her. He just stayed in that same position, emotionless.
"Right. Well, I have a confession to make. A couple of confessions to make, actually." She looks up at him and takes a deep breath. "I am going to be completely honest with you. You may not want to be with me when I am done and you may want to kill me. If that is my fate, then so be it. Everyone has gotten a chance to start grieving anyway." She looks for some sort of reaction or comment, but gets none.
So, she continues. "Like I said, I was scared. Scared of my growing feelings for you, scared of your mother, scared that I didn't know myself anymore. After we met with your lawyer, I left the house, but not before starting a small fire. I didn't go to the cabin; I went to Laurel Falls to wait. I knew your mother had given all the servants the day off since the wedding was such a success the day before. I knew you and Carmen would be leaving for a meeting. I was planning on just leaving, but then I got the bright idea to make myself die. I knew the FBI would come down hard on the family, and get Carmen. I was the one who called the FBI; well actually Drew called them for me. They know everything, well except for the fact that Drew also helped kill Mick. And it really was self-defense. He would have raped and/or killed both of us. Anyway, I couldn't go through with leaving town; leaving you. I couldn't get you off of my mind. I decided to go to the cabin to think instead of leaving town. And then, I called Bill and we discussed everything. I didn't know what I was going to do or say, but I knew I couldn't just leave. Well, there it is. You have every right to hate me now, but I was just scared for my life."
Through clinched teeth, Danny finally speaks. "Drew helped you kill Mick?! Neither one of you told me! And YOU set the fire?! Oh, and my favorite…you LOVE me??? Well, Michelle, you should be scared for your life and everyone else's. I'm gonna kill all of you." With that said, he quietly turns and leaves through her balcony door.