Promises
        Chapter 1
 

 The annual Bauer barbecue was in full swing. Abby, Meta and Michelle were in the kitchen working while Rick manned the grill. Michelle jumped as the door opened. Disappointed to see it was Phillip and Harley.
Danny said he had some business to tend to this morning, but he would be over later. She had argued that it was a holiday and they should be together with family, but he said it was something he had to do. Even though he had put the wheels in motion for the family business to be legitimized, it still worried her when he said he had business to take care of. But she knew he had a lot to do now that mommy dearest was in jail where she belonged. Pilar, despite Bill's and Danny's protests, still went to visit Carmen in jail. After she tried to kill Michelle last year, Danny said he never wanted to see her again. It was his testimony that put her behind bars. Carmen had begged him at the trial to forgive her and give her another chance, but he said the only good feelings he had for her died the day she pulled a gun on his wife.
She took a deep breath and realized that was all in the past now. Her and Danny were happily married. Bill and Pilar were together. Rick and Abby were happy with a baby due any day now. Everything was perfect. That's what she had to concentrate on.
"Earth to Michelle," Abby waved her hand in front of her face.
"I'm sorry," Michelle said dazed.
"You looked like you were in another world," she smiled.
"I was just thinking," she said. "You know after all these months, everything is the way it should be. Danny and I are free of Carmen. You and Rick have this little one on the way. By the way, I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to spoiling this niece or nephew of mine."
"I'm sure there will be plenty of spoiling going around," Abby laughed.
"I think Rick needs you outside," Michelle said as she saw her brother through the window.
"Meta, can you help me carry these hamburgers out to Rick," Abby asked.
Michelle stayed behind in the kitchen to finish slicing the onions. There it was again. Why was she feeling so lightheaded lately? And why couldn't she shake this queasiness? She had been sick for the past few days and she thought she had some kind of virus, but it didn't seem to be going away. The smell of these onions were only making her feel worse. No, she thought disappointed, don't think about that. The test was negative. It had to be something else.
Her eyes were watering so bad it was hard to see straight. As she was wiping her eyes, she felt someone grab her from behind. Luckily she still had the knife in her hand so when she turned around she pointed the knife straight at whoever had grabbed her.
"Calm down," Danny said backing up, throwing his hands up in defense.
"Danny," she gasped, dropping the knife on the counter. "Don't scare me like that."
"You're crying," he said. "Baby, what's wrong."
"Wrong?" she asked confused. "Oh, it's just the onions. They're making my eyes water."
"Oh," he breathed a sigh of relief. "So how is the barbecue going so far?"
Michelle dried off her hands and put her arms around his neck, "Much better now that you are here."
He instantly wrapped his arms around her to pull her close. "I'm glad to hear that." He leaned down to kiss her. "Do you have any idea how much I love you?"
"I think I have a pretty good idea, but you can show me again," she whispered.
"Don't tempt me," he sighed with a smile. "But we may just have to make a hasty exit. We can say there's important matters we need to tend to at home."
"Important indeed," she smiled as they kissed again.

"So here's a toast to all of our family and friends," Rick said. "We've all had our ups and downs in the past year," he began looking at Danny and Michelle, "but I am happy to report that things are back on track for everybody. Of course, I'm the luckiest one of all with a beautiful wife and a new baby."
"You're not the only one that has a lock on that," Phillip laughed with Harley and baby Zach beside him.
"Okay so we've all been blessed," Rick said. "So here's to another great year."
Everyone lifted their drinks to toast. Michelle leaned back against Danny, thankful to have him here with her.
"I'm so glad you're here," she said.
"I'm sorry about working this morning," he said turning her to face him. "But you know how much work there is to be done. I wish I could turn more responsibility over to other people, but I have to be careful with who I can trust. I don't know who was with my mother and who will be on my side now. I promise though, things will get easier."
"Let's just forget about all that today," she said as he brushed a stray hair from her face. "I just want to enjoy the day and being with you since this is our first official Bauer Barbecue together. We didn't really feel like celebrating last year this time."
"I don't want to think about that. Now, isn't it about time I try one of your brothers famous hamburgers?" he smiled, kissing her lightly on the lips. "Do you want one?"
Michelle was suddenly overcome with queasiness again. "I think I'll pass."
"Are you okay?" he asked when he saw the expression on her face.
"I'll be right back," she said as she bolted toward the house.
Danny raced after her to see if she was okay. He finally found her walking out of the bathroom. She was pale and her hands were shaking.
"Michelle, are you sick?" he asked concerned.
"I must have a touch of something," she explained in a shaky voice.
"I'll get Rick to check you out," he said.
"I'm fine," she smiled weakly. "I'm feeling better already. I think I just got too hot out there. Really, I'm okay now. We better go get you one of those Bauer burgers before they're all gone."

Danny kept his eye on Michelle the rest of the day. She seemed to be feeling better though she still looked a little pale. She even managed to eat a little something. As the guests started to dwindle down, Michelle suggested they go for a swim Most of the kids were out of the pool now, so they could have a little privacy. After changing into his swim trunks, Danny waited in the kitchen for Michelle. While he was waiting, Jesse and Drew came in.
"I take it you're going swimming," Drew said.
"How observant," Danny smiled. "I would ask you two to join us, but Michelle and I were hoping for a little privacy."
"We were leaving anyway," Jesse snarled.
"I wanted to tell Michelle good-bye," she said.
"She's upstairs changing," Danny said.
"Jesse, I'll be right back," Drew said. "Can you two be civil that long?"
"I'm sure we can manage," Danny smiled at Jesse.
Drew ran up the stairs finding Michelle in her old room. "Hey Michelle. Jesse and I were leaving so I wanted to say bye and to thank you for inviting us. Selena and Buzz want us to meet them at Company and then we're going to go to the park to watch the fireworks."
Michelle was in her bathing suit, holding on to the edge of the dresser. "Drew, I…"
Before she could finish, she bolted for the bathroom again. Concerned, Drew followed her. When she saw Michelle heaving, she got out a washcloth and ran cold water.
"What's wrong with you?" she asked.
"I guess I have a touch of a virus or something," she explained with a frown. "I've felt horrible for the past few days, I thought it would go away by now, but it's getting worse."
"Here," Drew handed her the wash cloth. "Put this on your forehead. Do you want me to get Danny?"
"No," Michelle snapped. "He's got so much on his mind right now, I don't want him worrying about me when it's probably just some kind of flu bug."
"You're not…" Drew began.
"No," Michelle sighed. "I'm not pregnant. The thought did cross my mind. Even though I know we've taken precautions, I took a home pregnancy test anyway. It came out negative."
"Well, sit down for a minute," Drew said. "You look horrible."
"I….," Michelle's voice trailed off as she began to faint.
Drew reached out and caught her. "Sit down," she ordered. Then she went to the door and yelled for Danny.
He ran up the stairs and panicked when he saw Michelle sitting on the bed doubled over. "What happened?" he knelt in front of her.
"I found her heaving in the bathroom and just now she almost fainted," Drew explained.
"That's it, I'm going to get Rick," Danny demanded.
"Sweetie, I'm fine. I'm sure it's just a virus or something. Rick is so preoccupied with Abby and the baby. Don't bother him with…" she had to stop as the room started spinning again and she lowered her head to her knees.
"Danny, you stay here with her and I'll get Rick," Drew said as she drug Jesse out the door.
Moments later, Rick came through the door, "Michelle, what's the matter?"
"She's been throwing up and she almost fainted," Danny said in one breath.
"How long has this been going on?" he questioned.
"A few days," Michelle said weakly.
"A few days?" Danny gasped. He hadn't realized she'd been sick that long. Of course, he hadn't been home much in the past week.
"Abby," he turned to his wife. "Get my bag out of our room."
"I think everyone is just overreacting. I'm feeling better now. I just need to sit up and oh…" she grasped her head as the room started spinning again.
Abby returned then with his bag. "Just lie back and let me take your blood pressure," Rick said.
Danny sat down on the bed beside her, holding her hand. They were silent as Rick took her blood pressure.
He sighed as he undid the cuff around her arm. "I want you to come down to the hospital with me so I can draw some blood."
"Draw blood?" Danny exclaimed.
"It's just a precaution," Rick tried to reassure. "Michelle's blood pressure is on the low side and her pulse is a little weak."
"You want me to go to the hospital now?" Michelle asked. "On a holiday?"
"I can get a friend of mine in the lab to run them for me first thing in the morning and I'll have the reports before lunch." Rick explained.
"But you still have guests here," she said.
"Don't worry about the guests," Abby said. "Meta and I can handle them."
"It's not that far to the hospital," Rick reminded. "We'll be back here in less than an hour."
"Okay," Michelle sighed. "Let's just hurry and get it over with."

"Why do you have to use such a long needle?" Michelle asked Rick.
"And you're going to be a doctor?" he laughed.
"I can stick other people," she said. "I just don't like to be the one getting stuck."
"Here," Danny smiled. "You can squeeze my hand."
She turned and buried her face against Danny's chest, holding on tightly to his hand. She cringed when the needle stuck her arm.
"Okay," Rick said a few moments later. "I'm done."
"So you say you'll have the test results in the morning?" Danny asked.
"Late morning, closer to lunch," Rick clarified. "I'll call you as soon as I know anything."
"Now can we get back to the house?" Michelle asked, rubbing her sore arm.
"I told you it wouldn't take long," Rick smiled. "But I think you need to rest. You're still a little pale. Danny, why don't you take your wife home? We can manage everything back at the house."
"Okay," Danny nodded. He turned and kissed Michelle on the forehead. "You ready to go home?"
"Guess I don't have much choice, now do I?" Michelle hopped off the table too quickly.
Danny grabbed her arm to steady her. "You're going home and to bed."
"Why Mr. Santos, what an excellent idea," she smiled, turning to him.
He couldn't resist smiling when he saw the twinkling in her eyes. "What am I going to do with you?"
"I can hardly wait to find out," she said.