Picture Perfect
Part 2
By LNJ
Dinner in Mexico was really nice. Danny and Lauren had met Michelle and Taylor right on time. After doing the "It's a Small World" Mexican boat ride, the foursome headed over to France for dessert and Norway for a nice then scary Nordic boat ride. They were browsing the gift shop in Norway when Danny and Michelle found themselves alone outside waiting for the girls.
"Did you enjoy the evening, Michelle?"
She smiled, "Yes. Yes, I did. You?"
"Absolutely. The girls are really getting along well. I wonder if this is the beginning of a lifelong friendship."
Michelle wondered if he meant the girls. Probably not from the look on his face. He wanted to kiss her. And she wanted to kiss him. But she had known him no more than twenty-four hours.
She settled for, "Only time will tell. Speaking of time, after the fireworks, do you want to head over to Pleasure Island? We could just walk around. Taylor and I always save that for last. There's a great Lego store there."
"Lego's? What's fascinating about that?" he asked. They sat on a nearby bench when it became free.
"Well, one cool thing is the Lego man sitting on the Lego bench snoring under the Lego lamp."
Danny looked impressed. "I forgot where I was. This is Disney world. I'm sure Lauren would love it. And there they are." He stood up as the girls approached. Michelle followed him. "What did you get?"
Lauren said uninterested, "Oh nothing. We didn't see anything. Are we going home now? I'm really tired."
"Yeah, me too. Maybe Lauren could stay with me while you two go to Pleasure Island Mom. I know we usually go, but you can never go into the night clubs with me."
Michelle knew what they were up to. She looked at Danny and his face was telling her to go for it. But she couldn't.
"No, we should all go together. Danny and I can go to clubs when he gets to Springfield."
"Do you promise," he asked looking like a kid begging.
She wasn't going to be able to turn this man down anything pretty soon and they all knew it. Sighing, Michelle answered, "I promise to make you feel welcome in Springfield when you arrive. Now, let's get a good spot for the fireworks."
Today's the day. Danny and Lauren arrive at 2 PM. Michelle and Taylor had been at the airport since 1:30 PM. Taylor was excited to see her new best friend. The girls ran up quite a hefty telephone bill. Email and writing wasn't enough. And Michelle and Danny had not communicated at all until last night.
Michelle was more nervous than excited. Or maybe a mixture of both. She found that she missed Danny these past three weeks. It's been a long time since Michelle was in relationship. Their brief time in Florida had left her feeling empty and wanting more. She wanted to get to know him. Danny was obviously handsome, yes, but quite intelligent as well she'd found out.
When she had questioned Phillip about him, Michelle discovered that Danny had graduate with high honors from Princeton University. Spaulding Enterprises heard about his turning around company after company with his financing wizardry. Phillip wanted Danny Santos to bring Spaulding Enterprises into the new millenium and keep them there. As Chief Financial Officer, Danny would have as much power and probably a more important role than Phillip Spaulding would.
Philip had also said Danny was a gentleman dedicated to work and to his daughter. Danny and his ex-wife, Theresa divorced shortly after Lauren was born. Theresa has been in and out of their lives for years, but would never stay around for her daughter.
That impressed Michelle and put Danny high on her list as someone she knew she could count on. She was eager to find out where they could go in a relationship. She just hoped he would understand her relationship with Bill Lewis.
Taylor had grabbed her arm, bring Michelle out of her thoughts. "There they are!"
She let go of Michelle and ran to hug Lauren and then Danny. Michelle approached them, not knowing what to do. Lauren hugged her first.
"Hi Ms. Lewis…Michelle."
"Hi, there. You look great. Did you cut your hair?"
"Yeah, and Dad had a fit. Taylor, let's find the rest room. We'll be right back."
Danny and Michelle said in unison, "Okay." And then their eyes locked. In one swift motion, he had her in his arms, kissing her as if they had been lovers and partners for years and this was a long overdue homecoming. Michelle put her all into the kiss.
When their lips separated, their bodies remained locked.
"I had hoped you'd missed me."
She laughed, replying, "I don't know how or why, but I need to…I just need to…know."
"We won't rush anything. Besides, there is so much to learn about each other."
"I like you Danny Santos."
"Really? Are you done shying away from me?"
"We'll see. I went by your house this morning and everything looked in order. Phillip had the house furnished nicely. The utilities are working. There's a driver waiting outside. Phillip didn't want you to have to worry about luggage and finding your way to the house."
She hesitated and then continued. "Would you and Lauren like to have dinner with Taylor and me tonight? That's if you're not too tired."
Danny hugged her to him again, whispering, "Yes. That would be wonderful. The girls will love it. I just have one question?"
"Hmm?"
"Are you the same woman I met in Florida? Because I remember someone a little less inclined to just go with it. That woman was more like a…prude."
Michelle looked offended, but really wasn't. She knew she was generally a cautious person, especially when it came to men. She considered her words carefully. "I am the same woman. But you know what they say. Absence makes the heart grow fonder."
"Nope. Not the same woman, but I'll take you. Ah here come our girls. Let's get the bags and see our new home."
As they trailed behind the girls heading for baggage claim, Michelle thought to herself that they looked like a family. Picture perfect.