Promises
         Chapter 39 
 

Ed found an exhausted Danny keeping vigil by his daughter's bedside. Despite his concerns about Michelle being involved with this family, he knew how much Danny loved her and he could see how this was tearing him apart.
"Danny," he whispered. "How is she?"
"She's finally sleeping," he sighed. "She wants to go see the baby so bad. I don't know how much longer I'm going to be able to keep her away."
"She needs to get her strength back first," Ed said.
"That's what I keep telling her, but your daughter is a very stubborn woman," he smiled.
"I know that all too well," Ed agreed. "Listen, if you don't mind, could I sit with her for a little while. I think you could use a break as it is."
Danny hesitated, before nodding his head. "I'll just go get some fresh air."
"Why don't you go home for a little while and maybe get a shower or something to eat?" he said. "I'll be here with her and if anything comes up, I'll call you."
"No," he shook his head. "I can't leave. Not until I know they're both going to be okay."
Ed frowned, "I understand."
"Just tell her I'll be outside if she needs me," he said, standing to leave. He leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on her cool forehead, thankful that her fever had broken. He turned and closed the door behind him.
Ed sat down in the chair Danny had vacated and held his daughter's hand in his. Looking down at her face, he couldn't help but notice how much she looked like Maureen. The resemblance really was amazing. Growing up, the people who didn't know better assumed that Michelle was Maureen's and always commented on how much they looked alike. It had to be their spirit. So much of who Maureen was, she passed on to Michelle. They may not have been genetically mother and daughter, but where it counted the most, in their hearts, they were.
Michelle began to stir and opened her eyes to see her father looking back at her. She swallowed, "Where's Danny?"
"I told him to take a break," he explained. "He's exhausted and I knew the only way I could get him to leave your side was to tell him I wanted to spend some time with you. Which wasn't a lie, because I do."
"I'm glad you're here," she whispered.
"Are you kidding?" he smiled. "I told you I wouldn't miss this for anything in the world. Of course, you had to go and have this baby early on me." Tears welled up in her eyes. "I'm sorry, sweetie. I shouldn't have said that. Listen, they are taking very good care of her down in the neonatal unit. And if she is anything like you, she is fighting every step of the way."
"I hope you're right," her voice cracked. "I don't know what I'm going to do if…"
He gently lifted her and wrapped his arms around her. "Oh, my baby girl. I would give anything in the world if I could make this better for you. I used to be able to kiss away your hurts when you were little. I feel so helpless now."
Michelle pulled away, wiping her tears away with the backs of her hands. "You know I was just dreaming about that day when I was eight and I fell off my bike, spraining my wrist. You and mom had been fighting and I wanted to get away, so I took off on my bike. I was planning on riding all the way to Bill's house, until that tree jumped out in front of me," she smiled. "I limped back home and when you saw me, you rushed over and picked me up in your arms and carried me upstairs. Mom wiped away my tears and the blood on my knees and you wrapped my arm up and made me a sling…I don't know why I remembered that…I just remembered how good it felt to have you both there for me, taking care of me. I really miss her. I wish she were here now."
"I know…me too," he sighed. "But sweetie, she is here…she will always be with you. You know I still feel her with me. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about her or see something that reminds me of her. She may not be with us physically anymore, but I promise you, her spirit will always be with us."
She looked up into her father's glistening eyes and fell into his arms. He held her tight as she cried, knowing she needed this as much as he did.

"Michelle."
She opened her eyes and looked around for the source of the voice calling out to her. No matter how much she tried to focus her eyes, everything looked hazy.
"Michelle."
Where was that voice coming from? She kept searching and finally saw a figure standing at her side. "Who are you?"
"My beautiful little girl."
"Mom," her voice cracked. "Is that you?"
"I'm here Michelle."
"Oh, Mom, I am so glad you came back. I need you so much," she cried.
"I'm here," Maureen looked at her. "Like your father said, I'm always here."
"Mom, I'm so scared," she cried. "My little girl…she was born so early. What if she doesn't make it?"
"You have to take care of yourself first, Michelle," she said. "Your baby is going to need you and your husband needs you too…now more than ever."
"Danny's trying to be so strong, but I can tell his heart is breaking," Michelle cried.
"Your husband is a strong man," she smiled. "And he loves you very much."
"I don't know how I could get through this without him," she sighed.
"And he without you," she added.
"Is this the test you told me about before?" Michelle asked. Her mother nodded. "Is my baby going to die?"
"I wish I could tell you," her eyes filled with tears. "I just need you to stay strong. You have your husband and your father and Rick and Abby. You have so many people who love you and want to help you. And no matter what happens, remember I am always with you. My darling Michelle, I will never leave you. If you look and listen, you'll know that I am with you. Always."
Michelle reached for her mother with outstretched arms as she began to fade into the darkness. "Wait! Please don't leave me. I need you! Please don't go!"
"Michelle!"
Startled she opened her eyes quickly and found a panicked Danny looking down at her. "Sweetie are you okay?"
Her mind was still a little foggy, "My mom was here."
"What?" he asked. "You were tossing and turning and calling out to someone not to leave you. Baby, it was just a dream."
As her mind began to clear she smiled up at him. "It was more than a dream. She's here. She's watching." Danny looked at her with a concerned look on her face. "Don't worry, I'm not going crazy." For the first time she noticed how dark her room was. "Why is it so dark in here?"
"Well, I have a little surprise for you," he smiled. "If you think you're up to it."
"What is it?" she asked, squinting her eyes.
"Well, Abby and I actually came up with this idea together," he said. He turned around and motioned to a figure standing in the corner. Suddenly the room was illuminated by a small Christmas tree and lights scattered around her room.
"What is this?" she asked in amazement.
"Well, since you can't come to Christmas, we brought Christmas to you," he smiled. "Merry Christmas sweetheart."
"I can't believe you did this," she whispered as he leaned down for a kiss.
"Merry Chr….oops," Rick walked in. "Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt."
"It's okay," Danny smiled. "Tell everyone to come on in."
"Danny," Michelle whispered. "Is there any news?"
"No," he frowned. "Dr. Freeman said he would let us know if there was any change."
"Oh," she sighed. "I guess I was hoping…"
"Are you sure you feel up for this?" Abby interrupted.
"I'm okay," she forced a smile. "But shouldn't you be home with Jacob."
"Rick and I went home a little while ago and opened presents with him," she explained. "Aunt Meta is keeping him occupied, though. She said to send her love and she would be up to see you tomorrow."
"Merry Christmas sweetie," Ed said, leaning in and gently kissing her forehead. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm a little tired," she confessed. "But I'm not in quite as much pain."
"Good," he smiled. "You be sure to let the nurses know if you need any pain medication."
"I will," she said. "But that stuff always makes me sleepy and I'd rather stay alert, just in case there is any news."
She leaned around Danny and saw another figure standing in the doorway.
"Carlos," she smiled. "Come here."
"It looks like you have a roomful as it is," he smiled, walking toward her.
"There's room for one more," she said, looking up at him. "I owe you an apology."
"No need," he waved his hand. "I understand what happened."
"But you were trying to protect me," she sighed. "If I had just listened to you and Danny, I wouldn't be here right now and my little girl wouldn't be…"
"Stop this," he pressed a finger to her lips. "You are not to blame. You thought your husband was in danger. You did what any loving wife would have done."
"We can't thank you enough for everything you've done for us," Danny said.
"Like I told you before," he smiled. "I promised your father I would look out for you and I'll keep doing it for as long as the good Lord lets me live on this earth."
Suddenly Christmas music began to play and Michelle looked up to find Rick with an elf's hat on carrying a CD player and dancing to the music.
"What are you doing?" she laughed, holding her stomach. "Quit making me laugh. It hurts."
"Laughter is the best medicine," he said. "I know…I'm a doctor."
"I can't believe you've all done this for me," she sighed looking up at Danny. "I can't believe you."
"Haven't you learned by now that I would do anything for you," he whispered as their lips met. "And I have one last thing."
"What else could you possibly have done?" she asked.
He stood and walked toward the door, picking up a box. "This." He handed it to her. She opened the box and found the angel from the top of their Christmas tree. "You told me once it wouldn't be Christmas without your angel."
Tears filled her eyes as she remembered the words of her mother, just moments ago. "Now I didn't bring this to make you cry."
"Thank you," she whispered. "The only thing is there is something wrong with it."
"What?" he asked.
"It quit working," she explained. "Last night…or I guess this morning when I was downstairs on the couch, I had the tree on and when I looked up at her, she wasn't moving and the lights were out."
"Here, let me try it here," he said, taking it from her hands.
"Sweetie, I'm telling you it wasn't working," she explained. "There's something wrong…"
Her voice trailed off as the angel began to glow and her wings moving in his hands. He set it down on the table next to her bed as she stared at it. How could that be? She knew it wasn't working earlier. How could it suddenly...her mother. She had promised her a sign that she was with her and now she knew.
"Your mother always called it our guardian angel who brought us a Christmas miracle," Ed said kneeling beside Michelle's bed.
"I'm just praying for one more Christmas miracle," she sighed.
Suddenly the door to her room opened and she caught her breath when she saw Dr. Freeman. "Wow, looks like someone is having a Christmas party."
Danny moved closer to Michelle and reached for her hand. She held onto him with all the strength she had. Her other hand clasped tightly, holding the ring on the chain around her neck.
"What is it?" Danny's voice cracked.
"I have some news about your baby," he said.