Promises
         Chapter 33 
 

Everything moved in slow motion for Danny, just like the day at Laurel Falls. He watched as Miguel and Michelle both fell to the floor. His head was spinning as he turned around to find the source of the gun fire. "Mother?"
"Daniel," Carmen said. "Are you all right?"
His mind was racing, his eyes looking back and forth between his mother, Carlos and some other man he didn't recognize. He wanted answers to everything…how they knew where to find them…why his mother was there…had she just saved Michelle's life? Michelle. His thoughts drifted quickly back to his wife who was lying on the floor next to Miguel's lifeless body. He raced to her side.
"Baby, can you hear me," he gently brushed the hair out of her face as she whimpered and he quickly untied the ropes around her wrists. "Michelle."
She slowly sat up and he pulled her close. "I thought he was going to kill me," tears spilled down her face.
"It's okay," he whispered through his own tears as relief poured through him. "It's over. It's finally over."
Pilar tried to slip unnoticed out the door, but Carmen grabbed her by the arm. "And just where do you think you're going?"
"I…" she began.
"Don't even bother," Carmen snapped. "It's time you learned a hard lesson…one that I had to learn myself."
"How could you do this, Pilar?" Danny glared at her, still holding a trembling Michelle close. "How could you do this to Michelle…to me?" She looked at him with a blank stare. "What? You have nothing to say. After all of this and…"
"Danny," Michelle cut him off, her voice weak. "Can you just take me home?"
"Okay," he whispered, putting his arm around her to help her stand.
Her legs were unsteady and her knees started to buckle. Danny steadied her and turned to face her. When he brushed her hair back, he felt a knot on her head and pulled his hand back to find blood. "You're bleeding," he choked.
"He hit me," she said wearily as dizziness threatened to overtake her.
"I'm taking you to the hospital," he said, holding her steady.
"I'm fine," she tried to resist. "I just want to go home."
"No," Danny demanded. "Someone needs to look at you."
She didn't have the strength to argue, so she shook her head. As he led her toward the door, he cut his eyes to Pilar. "How could you do this?" He looked at her with disgust on his face.
"Take care of Michelle," Carmen whispered to him. "I'll take care of everything else."
At the sound of her voice, Danny turned his eyes to her and for the first time since he was a young boy, he saw the loving eyes of his mother. The eyes of the woman who comforted him when he fell off his bike for the first time…the woman who used to hold him for hours when he was little and had woken up from a nightmare. This was his mother.

Danny paced outside the ER exam room, torn about leaving the lighthouse, but one look at Michelle and nothing else mattered. He could find out about everything else from his mother. His mother, he thought. She had saved Michelle's life. After all this time of wanting to get Michelle out of his life, she saved her. Maybe he had been wrong about her. Maybe she had changed. He jumped when the door opened, breaking him away from his thoughts.
"How is she?" he asked the doctor.
"She's resting," the doctor explained. "It's only a slight concussion, but I called Dr. Sedwick in to examine her, just for precautionary measures."
"Can I see her?" he asked.
"Sure," the doctor smiled.
"Her brother is Dr. Rick Bauer," Danny said.
"I know," he nodded. "He's on his way."
Danny opened the door slowly and sat down on the chair beside her. She opened her eyes and smiled at him.
"Hey sweetie," he whispered, kissing her hand. "How do you feel?"
"Okay," she winced. "You know, they're going to get tired of seeing us in this Emergency Room."
"Well, after tonight, I hope we don't ever see this place again," he sighed.
"Can you please tell me exactly what happened tonight?" she asked.
"I don't even know everything myself," he admitted.
"I can't believe Pilar was the one trying to kill me," she mumbled. "How did you know?"
"Bernard's contact found out Miguel was the hired hit man and he saw him meeting with Pilar," he explained. "I put a tail on her and have been having her followed ever since."
"There's still so much I don't understand," she grimaced, rubbing her head.
"Listen, we can sort all this out later," he said. "You're tired and you need to rest."
"But…" she stopped when he silenced her with a kiss.
"No buts," he whispered against her lips. "We'll talk later, I promise. For now, just close those beautiful brown eyes and get some rest."
Despite herself, she complied and within minutes was fast asleep. Danny stayed by her side, watching her sleep. He was so lost in his thoughts he didn't hear the door open.
"Danny?"
He jumped at the sound of Abby's voice. He turned to find her and Rick standing in the doorway. She motioned for him to follow them into the hallway. Reluctantly he let go of Michelle's hand and followed her.
"How is she?" Abby asked once Danny shut the door.
"Just a slight concussion," he explained. "Dr. Sedwick is on her way just to look her over."
"What the hell happened?" Rick demanded.
"Danny Santos," the nurse behind the desk called out to him. "You have an urgent telephone call."
"Okay," Danny nodded. "I'll be right back." He made his way over to the nurse's station and took the phone from the nurse. "This is Danny Santos."
"Danny, this is Frank. I need you to come down to the station."
"Frank, I can't right now," Danny said. "I'm at the hospital with Michelle."
"Danny, we have Pilar in custody," he explained. "I think it would be a good idea if you came."
"No," he demanded. "I'm not leaving Michelle…" he stopped as Abby grabbed his arm.
"If you need to go Danny, we'll stay with Michelle," she said.
He paused, torn between leaving his wife and confronting his sister. "Okay," he told Frank. "I'll come down. But I can't stay there for long."
He hung up the phone and turned to Abby. "Please stay with her," he begged. "And don't let her worry about anything."
"I don't understand any of this," Rick snapped.
"Listen, I'll explain everything once I get back," Danny sighed. "I just have something I need to take care of down at the police station."
"Don't worry," Abby patted his arm. "We'll stay with Michelle."
"Okay," Danny nodded. "Thank you. I won't be gone for long."

Danny made his way into the police station, trying to keep his emotions in check, but the image of Michelle with a gun to her head kept flashing in his mind. How could his sister be responsible for all of this? His sweet little sister…what had happened to her? And why hadn't he done something to stop this from happening to her and to Michelle?
"Danny," Frank approached him. "Thanks for coming. We have her in lock-up right now, but she's should be meeting with her lawyer in a few minutes. Your mother and Bill are around the corner if you want to talk to them. I'll let you know as soon as we need to take your statement."
He nodded and rounded the corner to find his mother sitting and waiting. She stood up when she saw him and without saying a word, wrapped her arms around him. He fought his tears the best he could, but he was losing the battle. They stood there for awhile, neither one able to form the words to say. Danny finally pulled away and hastily wiped his tears away.
"Where's Bill?" he asked.
"He went by the hospital to check on Michelle," she explained, not bothering to wipe her tears away. "How is she?"
"She's okay," he mumbled. "Slight concussion."
"I'm so glad," she smiled.
"We have a lot to talk about," he said, leading her to a row of chairs.
"I wouldn't even know where to begin," her voice unsteady as she sat down.
"Start from the beginning," he sat down facing her. "I want to know everything."
She took a deep breath and began. "You know Pilar visited me a lot when I was in prison. With each visit, whenever I asked about you and Michelle, I noticed her demeanor change. She began to talk about how Michelle had ruined her life and taken everyone she loved away from her. I could tell she was troubled, but I didn't want to say anything to set her off until I could get released. That's why I had Ben work so hard to get me released. I thought I could trust him so I told him my fears regarding Pilar. I had no idea he would try to hurt Michelle to get to you. Knowing how Pilar felt, I'm sure his plan was to blame her for everything. After he was arrested for the poisoning, Pilar came to visit me and told me of her plans. She saw his arrest as an opportunity to get rid of Michelle herself and blame it on him. As soon as I was released, I hired someone to follow you and Michelle. I was happy to find out you had already hired Carlos to guard Michelle. You know how much your father admired and trusted him. I called Carlos and convinced him to work with Michael, the man I had hired, and together they would provide protection for you both."
"So Carlos knew all along that you were trying to help us?" Danny asked.
"He didn't want to believe me at first," she said. "But after several attempts, he agreed to work with Michael, but he wanted to be the one to stay with you two. He didn't trust anyone else to look out for you. He's been doing that for practically your whole life. Anyway, Carlos called Michael tonight as soon as you got the phone call about the meeting. Michael followed you until Carlos called him again saying Michelle had run off. By some miracle, Michael spotted Michelle's car and followed her to the lighthouse. Then he called me and that's when I showed up."
"And he told Carlos where she was and Carlos called me," Danny said, beginning to put the pieces together, but there was one question that still gnawed at him. "Someone called me a couple of months back when I was at the airport. I wanted Michelle to go to Europe for protection, but someone called me and threatened her."
"That was Michael," she explained. "Carlos told him he and Michelle were going to Europe. I couldn't let that happen because I knew she wouldn't be safe over there. Pilar had already gone through some old files and found names of former associates in Europe and I knew if Michelle got on that plane, she wouldn't come back alive. So I had Michael call you and convince you to keep Michelle in Springfield."
"He did a good job of that," he sighed. "Scared the hell out of me."
"I'm sorry," she frowned. "But I didn't see any other way. I knew you wanted Michelle safe, but I knew that would never happen if she went to Europe."
"Why didn't you just come to me when you found out what Pilar was planning?" he asked.
"She didn't tell me everything about her plans. And knowing how you felt about me, I didn't think you would believe me," she explained. "I wanted to make sure I had solid proof before I approached you. But Pilar didn't make any slip ups. I guess I taught her a little too well."
"But why," he asked. "Why after everything you've done to tear me and Michelle apart…everything you've done to try to kill her yourself?"
"Danny, I told you something happened to me when I was in prison…that I had changed," she began. "But I didn't tell you everything. Yes, the talks with the psychologist helped me to a point, but what really changed my perspective was a dream I had one night. It must have been a four or five months after I was first locked up and I had had a horrible session with the psychologist. I was still blaming Michelle for everything. I was miserable being locked up in there and I honestly wanted to die. That night I had a dream about your father. I've always had dreams about him ever since he died, but this one was different. It was so real. He reminded me of my promise to him before he died. I promised him I would take care of all three of his children, but especially you. He knew you were independent, but he also knew you were different. He wanted the business legitimate for your sake so you could take it over one day and be proud of being a Santos. In the dream, he showed me what your life would be like…running a successful Sancorp, happily married to Michelle…and with your children. I got to see what it would be like to be a part of your life and when I woke up I knew I had to do whatever it took to change so I could be. And I had to do whatever it took to protect you and Michelle and my grandchild. Danny, my dear son, I love you. I know I haven't always been the best mother, but I promise you I have changed. I want to be a mother to you and a grandmother to your children. I know it will take time for you to trust me again, but I promise you I will earn your trust."
Danny sat there speechless. He had wanted his mother back for so long and here she was sitting right in front of him. But a part of him couldn't let go of the memory of watching her fire a gun at Michelle…trying to kill her. It was hard to let that go. However, when he looked into the eyes of the woman sitting before him now, he knew she wasn't the same woman from that day. Without a word, he stood up and turned his back to her.
She stood up and reached for his arm, afraid that he wasn't going to give her another chance. "Danny, please. Please give me another chance."
He turned, with tears in his eyes and embraced her. "I love you," he whispered.

Michelle slowly opened her eyes, scanning her surroundings. She saw Rick and Abby sitting beside the bed with worried looks on their faces. Fear crept up on her when she didn't see Danny. "Where's Danny?" she asked.
"Frank called him down to the police station," Abby explained. "He said not to worry and he would be back as soon as he could."
"Pilar," she moaned, running her hands through her hair.
"What about her?" Rick asked.
"She's the one who was behind all of this," she whispered.
"She was the one trying to kill you?" Rick demanded. "I knew this family was dangerous."
"Don't start," Michelle's voice rose. "Carmen is actually the one who saved my life."
"What?" Abby and Rick said in unison.
"It's a long story, that I don't really feel like getting into right now," Michelle groaned. "I'll tell you everything later."
"Much later," Dr. Sedwick entered the room.
"Hi, Dr. Sedwick. We'll wait outside," Abby said, pulling Rick out the door.
"I knew we had to get her away from that family," Rick demanded once they were in the hallway.
"Calm down Rick," Abby whispered. "We don't know the whole story. Michelle did say Carmen was the one who saved her life and you know Danny would do anything in the world to protect her."
"I don't care. I want her home with us," Rick said. "When they release her, we're taking her to our house."
"No, we will take her wherever she wants to go," Abby corrected. "You can't run her life anymore, Rick. You tried that once before and you almost lost her for good. Don't make the same mistake again."

Dr. Sedwick exited Michelle's room a little while later and went to the waiting room to find Rick.
"Dr. Sedwick, how is she?" he asked.
"She's fine," she said. "Blood pressure is still high, but with everything that's been happening, I guess that's understandable. I told her she could go home, but I want her on complete bed rest until her next appointment with me, which is next Friday."
"Okay," Abby said. "We'll be sure to let Danny know."
"She's getting dressed and then she'll be out," she said.
"Thank you," Rick said as she turned to leave.
When he turned around, Abby was already on the phone at the nurse's station. "Danny, this is Abby."
"How is Michelle?" he asked quickly.
"Dr. Sedwick just finished examining her and she said she could go home. Her blood pressure is a little high so she wants her on bed rest until next week, but she can go home. We'll stay with her at the house until you get there," she said.
"I'm just about finished here," he sighed. "I should be home soon."
"We'll see you then," she said.
"Thank you, Abby," he said.
Abby hung up the phone and turned to Rick. "He'll be home soon."
Before Rick could argue, Michelle walked slowly out of her room. She saw them and headed in their direction. "Can you take me home?"
"Of course," Abby smiled, ushering Michelle past a speechless Rick.

Carmen and Danny waited in silence as Pilar talked to her lawyer. Frank told them they could have a few minutes with her before she was taken back to her cell. They jumped to their feet when they saw her, handcuffed and being escorted by two policemen. Frank stopped them and told them to take her to the interrogation room.
Frank walked over to them, "You have ten minutes."
"Thank you," Danny said, following his mother into the room.
After the guards left and shut the door, Pilar spoke first. "I don't know what you could possibly have to say to me."
"Why?" Danny asked. "I just need to know why."
"I don't feel like going through this again," she snapped.
"No!" his voice rose, slamming his fist against the table. "You've been putting me through hell for the past five months. I've been scared to death worrying about Michelle."
"You see it's always about her," she exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air. "It's always, poor Michelle, we are all worried about Michelle. I'm sick of it!"
"But it's because of you," Danny shouted. "You're the reason we've all been so worried about her. I cannot believe you are so self-centered that you resorted to this. What would have happened if we hadn't shown up tonight? Were you going to stand by and watch Miguel kill her? You were ready to kill the only woman I've ever loved?"
"Danny," Carmen tried to calm him down. "Pilar, I take full responsibility for all of this. I should have tried to do something before this got so far out of hand. I did this to you. My poor baby."
"I am not your baby anymore. I have a mind of my own mother!" Pilar shouted. "I did this on my own. You and Danny and everyone else have always tried to protect me because you thought I was some kind of innocent feeble little girl without a mind of my own! I did this! I did this because I wanted her out of my life!"
"I just don't understand," Danny shook his head. "How could you do this to me? If you had followed through with this, Pilar, you not only would have killed my wife, you would have killed my son or daughter. My firstborn child. How could you do that? I'm your brother, Pilar. I thought you loved me."
The tough, angry facade Pilar had been presenting suddenly crumbled when she saw the hurt in Danny's eyes. Suddenly she broke down in tears as Carmen reached over and tried to comfort her. Pilar pushed her away and she looked up at Danny with pleading eyes. "I am so sorry," she sobbed. "Please, please forgive me Danny. I do love you. I'm still your sister."
"I can't…" his voice broke as he threw his hands up and headed for the door. "I don't have a sister. Not anymore."