Promises
         Chapter 19 
 

"What time does your first class end?" Danny asked her over breakfast, a couple of weeks later.
"I already told you," Michelle groaned. "Ten-thirty."
"And your next class is at eleven," he said, writing everything down. "And where will you be between classes?"
"Danny," she said, reaching for his hand. "Would you please relax? Carlos is going to be with me all day long. He has promised to not let me out of his sight and I promised you I would stay close to him. You don't need to worry."
"Michelle, it's been over two weeks, and we still don't have any answers. I won't stop worrying until whoever poisoned you is caught," Danny snapped. "Truthfully, I would feel a lot better if you would just stay home."
"Don't start on that again!" she yelled, standing up. "How many times are we going to have to go through this? I am not going to give up medical school! That is not an option."
"Can't you understand why I'm worried?" he demanded. "Not only is someone out to hurt you, but you're pregnant too."
"Thanks for reminding me," she laughed. "I was beginning to wonder why I've been sick every morning for the past few weeks!"
"Don't get smart with me," he glared at her.
"Then don't treat me like a fragile doll that might break!" she screamed. "I know you're worried, but I agreed to have Carlos around. What more do I have to do?"
Danny was silent, holding back the words he knew he would later regret.
"Are you going to answer me or not?" she demanded when he wouldn't say anything.
"Please calm down," he said as if calming a child.
"Don't treat me like a child," she charged.
"I'm sorry," he caved in when he saw the hurt in her eyes. "I'm just frustrated that we don't have any answers yet and I'm worried about you."
"I know," Michelle said in a calmer voice, reaching for his hand. "Don't you know I'm just as frustrated. This is supposed to be one of the happiest times in our lives. We should be celebrating with our family and friends and picking out baby furniture. But we can't. I can't even tell anyone that I'm having a baby."
"You will," he whispered, pulling her down to his lap. "Soon. I promise."
"Before long, I won't have to tell them," Michelle said with a frown. "They'll be able to see for themselves. I am already getting fat."
"Are you kidding?" he laughed. "You can't even tell."
"You're such a liar," she smiled. "You mean to tell me you haven't noticed any changes in my body in the last few weeks?"
"Well, let's see," he lifted her shirt and placed warm, soft kisses to her abdomen while Michelle ran her fingers through his curly hair. His hands moved from her back around to the front and inched up higher.
"Oh, no you don't," Michelle laughed, pushing his hands away. "I don't have time for this."
"It won't take that long," he smiled, moving his lips up to meet hers.
"Giving yourself a little credit there, huh?" she smiled beneath his lips.
He didn't respond except to intensify their kiss. With the little strength she had left, she pushed him away and stood up. He dropped his head to the table with a thud.
"Sorry," she apologized. "But my chauffeur is waiting."
"Wait," he stood up. He pulled her in his arms again and held her tight. "Please be careful."
"Danny, I'm going to be fine," Michelle said wrapping her arms around him. "Please don't worry."
Before Danny could respond, there was a knock at the door. Danny turned to open the door and found Carlos standing there.
"Is Mrs. Santos ready to leave?" he asked.
"I told you," she responded. "It's Michelle and yes I'm ready to go."
Danny turned his back to Carlos and captured Michelle's face in his hands. He leaned in for a gentle kiss. "I love you."
"I love you too," she whispered. "My last class is over at 3:00. I'll call you when we're on our way home."
"Thank you," he whispered back.
Michelle walked past him and Carlos. Danny grabbed Carlos' shoulder. "You make sure you keep your eye on her at all times."
"Don't worry boss," Carlos said. "Nothing will happen to her."
Danny watched out the window as Carlos pulled out of the driveway. "Please God, please take care of her."

After Michelle left with Carlos, he got back to work making phone calls. As of yet, Ben had still not managed to get Carmen released. At least he didn't have that to worry about right now. Michelle still didn't know and he still didn't know how he was going to tell her. He would worry about that when the time came. For now, he had other problems to worry about. He picked up the phone and dialed a familiar number.
"Hello Bernard," he began. "This is Danny Santos."
"Ah, Daniel," Bernard replied. "I hear you've been stirring up trouble."
"I told you before, I need answers," Danny demanded. "Someone poisoned my wife and I want to know who is responsible."
"I understand that Daniel," he said. "But you must understand that since your mother's conviction, your name does not carry much weight with the other families."
"I did what I had to do to protect my family, Bernard," Danny snapped. "Or have you and everyone else forgotten that my mother tried to kill my wife?"
"I remember. I always thought Carmen to be a little over the edge. I told Thomas that he needed to keep her in check," he said.
"You spoke to my father about Carmen?" Danny quizzed. "When was this?"
"Not long after Pilar was born," he explained. "Your father had tried to keep her away from the family business, but she was determined to be a part of it. He kept her shielded enough to keep her safe, but after Pilar was born she began to take a more active role. Your father decided then to get out. He didn't want Carmen or you children to be a part of this life anymore. He spent years trying to change the Santos' business, but he knew he had to do it gradually. Unfortunately, he was killed before he had the chance to finish what he started. After his death, Carmen took over and reversed every step Thomas had taken in making the family legitimate."
"My father was trying to make the business legitimate?" Danny asked in shock. "Why didn't my mother ever tell me? Why didn't he ever tell me?"
"You were a young boy when your father died," he responded. "Both of your parents knew deep down that Mick would never be able to lead the family business because he just didn't have it in him. You, on the other hand, were the apple of your father's eye. He wanted you to take over the business, but he wanted it to be a legitimate business first. He never wanted you to be involved in the crime he grew up with. Carmen wanted the same thing, but she wanted the power and the money that came with the illegal activities. She fought him every step of the way to keep the business the way it was."
"I remember the night he died," Danny sighed. "I heard them arguing downstairs. She wanted him to go to some meeting to complete a deal and he said he didn't want to be a part of that life anymore. He finally agreed to go, but he told her it would be the last time. He would not be a part of any illegal business after that meeting."
"Carmen blamed herself for persuading him to go to that meeting," he said. "He didn't want to go, but he did it for her."
"If it weren't for her, my father would still be alive," Danny said through gritted teeth.
"Possibly," Bernard sighed. "But your father was living a very dangerous life. Getting out of the business suddenly after generations of dealings, is not taken lightly. Your father could have easily gotten killed with the way he was making deals to get out. That's what concerns me about you, Daniel. Do you realize the risks you are taking by making your family business legal?"
"I have to do it," Danny demanded. "Michelle does not want to live that kind of life. I don't want that kind of life anymore. She is my life now and I will do what it takes to make her happy and keep her and our children safe"
"Oh, you are your father's son," Bernard laughed. "You are so much like him, it's almost as if I'm talking to him right now."
"Now that I know my father wanted to make this business legitimate, I am even more determined," Danny said. "I am determined to finish what he started, whatever it takes."
"Thomas was my dearest friend," Bernard said. "I promised him I would take care of his children, especially you, and that's what I plan to do. I will see what I can find out, but you must remain calm, Daniel. Do not stir up more trouble than you can handle. And whatever you do watch your back and your wife. You know people will look for and exploit your weakness."
"I know," Danny breathed unsteadily. "That's why I'm doing this. I can't let anything else happen to her."