Promises
         Chapter 29 
 

Two months later:

Michelle was growing more and more restless by the minute. The only time Danny would let her leave the house was to go to a doctor's appointment or Lamaze classes, where she was escorted by both he and Carlos. There hadn't been any more direct threats, but Bernard kept in daily contact with Danny and warned him this wasn't over yet, not by a long shot.
"That's it," Michelle exclaimed, rolling off the bed. "I can't take this anymore."
"Baby, you are supposed to be on complete bed rest," Danny sighed. "Dr. Sedwick isn't going to ease up on that until your blood pressure comes down."
"How's my blood pressure supposed to come down!" she shouted. "I'm seven months pregnant and I'm being held prisoner in my own house."
He grabbed her arm as she tried to walk past him and pulled her down on the bed beside him. "Have I ever told you how cute you are when you're mad?"
"How can you even look at me," she groaned. "I look like a beached whale."
He began kissing her ear and worked his way down her neck, "You, my dear, are beautiful and irresistible."
"Danny," she sighed.
"Guess I got a little carried away," he smiled, sitting up.
"You can get carried away anytime," she smiled back. "In fact, you can get carried away again right now."
"Glad you're in a better mood now," he said.
"So that's what this was all about," she laughed. "You were just trying to distract me from my bad mood."
"Yes, but believe me that wasn't the only reason," he grinned. "I have some calls to make, so I'll be downstairs in my office."
"I think I'm going to take a shower," she said. "Care to join me?"
"It's probably best if I go on downstairs," he sighed. "If I don't we may never leave this room."
"Is that such a bad thing?" she smiled.
"You are too much," he kissed her again before standing up. "I'll see you downstairs."
Danny was laughing to himself when he entered his office. As if on cue, his phone started to ring. "This is Santos."
"Danny," Bernard answered breathlessly. "I'm glad I got you."
"Bernard, what's wrong?" he asked, his good mood quickly vanishing.
"I just got word from an associate who's been working with me on your situation," he explained. "It's not good news."
"What is it?" Danny demanded.
"The attempt on Michelle's life is supposed to take place within the week," he explained.
"What?" Danny exclaimed. "After two months of little movement and now…"
"Danny, you know she's getting more desperate," Bernard explained.
"Is she still being followed?" he asked.
"Of course," he responded. "Are you planning on confronting her?"
"No, not just yet," Danny replied. "I need a little more time to get the proof I need."
"Just make sure you don't wait too long," he said. "I'll be in touch."
"Thanks," Danny hung up the phone.
"This is almost over," he said to himself. "Soon Michelle and I will be able to live in peace."

Michelle came downstairs a little while later to find Danny and Carlos deep in conversation. When they heard her, they both turned to her with a look on their faces as if they had been caught red handed.
"What's up?" she asked curiously.
"Nothing," Danny said a little too quickly. "I think we're finished here Carlos."
Carlos picked up on the tone in his voice and shook his head as he walked outside.
"What's going on Danny?" she questioned.
"I told you, nothing," he said, avoiding her eyes.
"Look at me," she began. When he refused to look her in the eye, she grabbed his chin and turned his face to her, "Look at me!"
"What?"
"I can see it in your eyes," she whispered. "Something happened, didn't it?"
"Bernard called, but there hasn't been any news," he lied.
"Nothing?" she sighed, dropping her hand. "Why doesn't this person do something instead of making us live like this?"
He grabbed her in his arms. "I promise this will be over soon. We just have to sit tight and be patient."
"My patience is running thin," she frowned, pulling away. "You want some breakfast?"
"You go sit and I'll make you something," he said, pushing her toward the living room. "How does my special omelet sound?"
"Okay," she nodded, sitting down on the couch. "Make it two."
"Two?" he laughed, sitting down next to her.
"Hey, I am eating for two," she defended. "Besides, I'm as big as a house already, so what's a few extra pounds."
"I don't care," he began. "Just as long as you eat something. You know, as much as you complain about how big you are, you seem to forget that Dr. Sedwick said you were a little underweight."
"Underweight!" she laughed. "That's a joke!"
"She was serious, Michelle," he protested. "I feel like I've been force feeding you lately."
"There's just been a lot going on," she defended.
"I know," he sighed. "But you have to take care of yourself."
"I just asked for TWO omelets, didn't I?" she said.
"Okay, okay," he laughed as he stood up. "Two omelets on the way."
They ate in the living room by the Christmas tree. "I can't believe it's Christmas Eve and we can't even enjoy it," Michelle groaned.
"Who says we can't enjoy it?" Danny asked. "Your family and Pilar and Bill are coming over tonight for dinner. Then afterwards we can have our own little celebration."
She smiled at the grin on his face. "I guess I just haven't really been in the Christmas spirit," she sighed.
"I know," he said. "But for tonight and tomorrow, let's forget about everything except enjoying ourselves."
"I'll try," she smiled.
"You know," he began. "All this time, we've been sitting under a mistletoe and you've been breaking tradition."
"Danny you hung mistletoe all over the house," she laughed.
"Well, I guess you just don't care anything about tradition anymore," he feigned hurt, turning his back to her.
"Oh, I wouldn't want to do that," she smiled, pulling him closer to her. "Can't break tradition."
She leaned in and kissed him, lightly at first and then a little more demanding.
"So how was that?" she smiled, breathlessly.
"Pretty good," he smirked.
"Pretty good?" she gasped. "Well, let's try that again."
When they separated again, he smiled. "I think the mistletoe is my favorite Christmas tradition."
"Mine too," she laughed, leaning in for another kiss.

Later that afternoon, Michelle fell asleep on the couch and Danny worked in his office, trying to get some work done before their guests arrived. The phone rang again, starling him.
"It's Bernard. We've got movement."
"Where?" Danny demanded.
"There's a warehouse downtown at the corner of Seventh and Broadway," he said. "She's supposed to meet him there in thirty minutes."
"I'm on my way," Danny said.
"I'll meet you there," Bernard said.
"No," Danny snapped. "I have to do this on my own."
"There's no need in arguing about this," he demanded. "I am not letting you go in there alone. I will meet you there."
Danny hung up the phone and opened up his desk drawer. He reached all the way to the back and pulled out a box he had hidden back there. Quickly opening it, he pulled out his gun and made sure it was loaded.
"Carlos," he called out.
"I'm right here," he came up from behind him. "What happened?"
"Bernard just called," he explained quickly as Carlos followed him to the garage. "She's meeting him at a warehouse at the corner of Seventh and Broadway. I'm on my way."
"You need me to come with you?" he asked as Danny got in the car.
"No," Danny shouted. "Bernard is meeting me there. I want you to stay here with Michelle. She's still sleeping on the couch in the living room. Her family and Pilar are supposed to be here around 7:00 and I hope I'm back by then. You be even more alert and under no circumstances do you let her out of this house. And don't tell Michelle anything about where I am."
"Okay," he nodded as Danny started his car. "Danny, be careful."
He nodded as he shut the door and backed down the driveway. Carlos watched him leave and went back inside. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed.
When it was answered, he began, "He just left. Bernard called him and told him about a meeting at the warehouse…Yeah, I know…I know what to do."