Promises
         Chapter 34 
 

Danny drove home as fast as traffic would allow. After the day he had had, all he wanted to do was fall asleep with Michelle in his arms. After parking his car, he went into the house and found Abby sitting at the kitchen table. He fell down exhausted in the chair facing her. "How's Michelle?"
"She's upstairs sleeping," she said. "She was pretty exhausted."
"Is Rick with her?"
"No," she explained. "He got called back in to see a patient."
"I wish they had kept Michelle in the hospital," he sighed, rubbing his tired eyes.
"She's fine Danny," Abby tried to reassure. "Dr. Sedwick said she just needed to rest. She wouldn't have let her come home if she wasn't okay."
"She's just been through so much lately," he said. "I don't know how much more she can take."
"Michelle is a strong woman," Abby stated. "She'll get through this."
"I never should have let this happen," he sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"Michelle told us what happened with Pilar," she frowned. "This wasn't your fault."
"You know after my mother was in jail and I got out of the business, I worried that other families would target Michelle," he began. "I thought they were the ones I had to worry about, even though I was assured they wouldn't be a problem. And all along I should have been looking at my own family. My own family has done nothing but hurt Michelle. Sometimes I think the best thing I could do for her would be to just leave her."
"And what would that solve?" Abby demanded, leaning closer to him. "Danny, if you did leave her, you might as well have let your mother or your sister kill her. Michelle loves you more than anything in this world and I don't know what she would do without you."
"I couldn't leave her even if I had to," Danny sighed. "I can't imagine living my life without her."
"I know you're upset right now, but after you get some sleep you'll see things more clearly," she touched his hand. "Ben is in jail. Your sister is being dealt with. Your mother seems to be coming around. And didn't you just say that your former associates were leaving you alone. The danger's gone. You and Michelle have to work together to put this behind you. You have a new baby on the way, and believe me your life will change forever after that."
A brief smile crept onto his face. "I can't wait. I just want all of this over with before the baby is born."
"It will be," Abby smiled. "Just keep your faith strong and with the love you and Michelle share, you'll get through this. I know you will."
"I hope you're right," he frowned.
"I am always right," she smiled. "Now I have to get home and play Santa Claus. I talked to Michelle and we're going to call in the morning. If she's up to it, we're going to stop by and bring Jacob."
"It's Christmas Eve," he gasped. "I can't believe I completely forgot all about it."
"Well, that's understandable, considering," Abby sighed, walking with him to the door. "Just get some rest. And remember Christmas is a time for miracles."
"I know," he smiled. "Thank you for staying with Michelle."
"You don't have to thank me," she said. "We're family and I will always do whatever I can for both of you. And don't worry. Things are looking up for you two."
Danny hugged her good-bye and locked the door behind him. As he set the alarm, he realized this was the first night in months he and Michelle had been alone in their own house. They had lost so much time…time they should have been celebrating. And his sister was responsible for all of it. The young woman he walked out on at the police station was a stranger to him now.
He forced his legs up the steps to their bedroom. He was so exhausted…he just couldn't think anymore…he didn't want to think anymore All he wanted was to lie down in their bed and feel Michelle in his arms. Slowly, he opened the door and found her sleeping soundly on her side facing his side of the bed. He eased himself down on the mattress looking at her face lit by the moonlight streaming through the window. She was an angel, he had no doubt…a gift from God. Brushing her hair back from her face, the events of the night began to replay in his mind. The fear in her eyes as the life was literally being choked out of her. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to get that image out of his mind. When he opened them again, he saw her looking up at him.
"Are you okay?" she whispered.
He shifted his body so he was lying on his side facing her. "Everything's fine," he whispered back with a smile.
"Did you see Pilar?" she asked.
He sighed with a nod. "The police have her in custody."
"I still can't believe this," she mumbled. "All these months I thought your mother was responsible for all of this. I thought she was trying to hurt us, but she saved my life. Danny, your mother saved my life."
"I know," he said. "I'm still having trouble believing it myself. I talked to her at the police station. She wants to be a part of our lives. She says she has changed, but I still can't forget everything she's done to you…to us."
"I don't think I'll ever be able to forget either," Michelle sighed. "But can you forgive her?"
"I don't know," Danny said. "Maybe one day, but it will take time."
Michelle began, "I can forgive her."
He looked at her with complete love in his eyes. "I don't think I've ever loved you more than I do right now." He placed a gentle kiss on her lips. "After everything she's done to you, you can find it in your heart to forgive her."
"She's your mother Danny, and I know despite everything you love her," she said. "If she has truly changed and wants to be a part of our lives, we should let her. I can't say it will be easy for me, but in time I think things can work out."
"Listen," he brushed a hair away from her face. "You're exhausted. We can talk all we want later. Right now, you need to get some sleep."
"I just want all this to be over," she tried to stifle a yawn.
"It is," he smiled. "Everything is finally going to be okay."

Hours later, Michelle awoke with a start. She looked over and saw Danny sleeping soundly beside her. She exhaled…it had only been a dream…he was still here. It was more a nightmare than a dream. Danny jumping in front of her, taking a bullet. Her holding him as the life drained from him. No, she thought. Everything worked out. Neither of us were hurt. Slowly, her breathing returned to normal and as was the norm of late, her kidneys felt they were going to burst. As easily as she could, she eased herself off the bed, careful not to wake her sleeping husband. When she returned to the bed, she forced her eyes closed, but sleep wouldn't come. Again, she eased herself off the bed and wrapped her robe around her and made her way down the stairs to the living room. She turned on the lights to their Christmas tree and curled up on the couch in front of it. Lying there, she thought back to everything that had happened in the past year. So much had changed for her and for Danny. They had had their struggles with Carmen and Rick and Pilar and even with each other. But maybe her mother had been right…all the trials you endure do make you stronger. Her mother…a feeling of sadness swept through her.
"I wish you were here Mom," Michelle said as tears filled her eyes.
Memories of her mother rolled through her mind as her eyes slowly closed and she drifted off to sleep.

"Michelle."
Slowly, her eyes opened. She blinked several times trying to bring her surroundings into focus. "Michelle," she heard again.
"Who's there?" she mumbled. "What's going on?"
"My beautiful Michelle."
"Mom?" she said in amazement, sitting up. "I can't believe it's you."
"You know I wouldn't leave you alone in a time like this," she said. "You're my little girl and I want to help you."
"There's so much I want to tell you," Michelle whimpered. "Did you know you were going to be a grandmother?"
"I know," she smiled.
"I've needed you so much," she cried.
"That's why I'm here. Now listen to me," she said. "We don't have a lot of time, but I need to talk to you. I know you've been through a lot lately and you've gotten through it just like I knew you would. You were always a strong little girl and you've become an even stronger woman. You and Danny have been tested since the beginning, but never doubt your love for one another. He is your soulmate, just like you are his. You two were destined to be together and you will always remain together as long as you never lose sight of what's important."
"But I used to feel the same way about you and dad," Michelle cried. "How do I know Danny and I won't end up like the two of you did?"
"My sweet Michelle," she smiled. "As much as your father and I loved each other, we lost sight of what was most important. Your father was so involved with his work and I was hurt by that. I turned away from him and he turned to someone else. You and Danny won't make that same mistake. Just remember above all else how much you love each other and don't ever take your life together for granted. I don't have much more time."
"No," Michelle cried. "Please don't leave. Not yet."
"Sweetie, I have to," she smiled. "I have to go get ready."
"Ready for what?" she questioned.
"You'll find out soon enough," she said. "But I have one last thing I need to tell you. You are about to be tested again, you and Danny, and this may be the hardest test of your lives."
"What's going to happen?" Michelle asked.
"I have faith in you…you can get though this. I love you my darling Michelle. Remember I am always here with you."
"No, wait," she cried. "Please Mom, don't leave. Not yet. What's going to happen? Mom!"
Michelle awoke with a start, adjusting her eyes to the dark.
"Baby, are you okay?"
"Danny?" she whispered, turning to see him kneeling beside her.
"You were dreaming," he said.
"Yeah," she sighed, rubbing her eyes.
"Are you okay?" he repeated, rubbing his hand gently across her face. "I was worried when I woke up and you were gone."
"I couldn't sleep," she explained. "So I came down here, but I guess I dozed off. What time is it?"
"It's about 3:00," he squinted at the clock on the mantel. "Do you want to come back upstairs?"
"I don't know if I'll be able to get back to sleep," she sighed.
"How about I fix you a glass of warm milk?" he smiled. "Isn't that what you said your mom always did for you when you couldn't sleep?"
"Yeah," she smiled through her tears, not only at the memory of her mother, but also that Danny had remembered such a little detail she had told him so long ago.
"You stay here and I'll be right back," he gave her a gentle kiss.
Michelle sat up on the couch and faced the Christmas tree. She thought back to all the years growing up, helping her family put their tree up. It had always been her job to put the angel on the top. And that's exactly what she was doing a few weeks ago when she began to slip off the ladder. Danny had been there to catch her, upset that she was up on the ladder. He caught her again…just like he always did. She looked up at that angel…the same one that had stood at the top of every Christmas tree she had ever known and she was overcome with a peace. She closed her eyes and smiled.
"I know you're here mom," she began. "I just wish I knew what was going to happen, but I know you're going to be there with me. And I remember what you taught me about that angel…she's our Christmas angel and she's watching over me now, just like you are."
She inhaled the sweet fragrance of the tree as she opened her eyes to see the angel's light had suddenly gone out. She was about to call for Danny to check the bulb when pain enveloped her body causing everything in front of her to turn hazy in sight. She tried again to call for Danny, but her voice eluded her. She fell to her knees beside the couch, gasping for air and clutching her side.
"Well here is a specially blended cup of warm milk," Danny laughed as he entered the living room. "I know it won't be as good as your mom's but…" His voice trailed off as he came closer and saw Michelle doubled over on the floor. The cup and saucer went crashing to the ground as he ran to her side, fear consuming him. "Michelle, baby, what's wrong?"
"I…can't…breathe," she said gasping for air. "Something…wrong…"
"Okay, don't move," his voice thick with panic. "I'm going to call 911."
Danny reached for the cordless phone on the end table and with shaky fingers dialed the numbers. "I need an ambulance to 1540 Meadowcreek Lane," he said in one breath. "Something's wrong with my wife…I don't know…she's having trouble breathing…yes, I think she's in pain…she's seven months pregnant…"
"Danny," her voice was barely audible.
"Shh," he demanded. "Don't try to talk okay. Just sit back." He heard the operator still talking, but he hung up the phone and threw it on the floor beside him, moving closer to Michelle.
"Something's wrong," she began as she choked on her tears.
"You're going to be okay," he whispered, holding her hands in his. "The ambulance is on the way."
"It hurts so much," she groaned. "The baby…"
"You're both going to be fine," he tried to reassure.
For the next few minutes he did his best to keep her calm despite the fear gnawing at him. It was killing him seeing her in so much pain and not being able to do anything for her. He held her tight as she sobbed in his arms. He was certain she was losing the baby. He prayed to God he wasn't losing her too.