Promise of Forever
      Chapter 19
 

Danny and Michelle are holding each other, both praying that this is really going to be the end, and they can have the life they have worked so hard for and deserve. Harley lightly touches both of their shoulders, hating to intrude, but wanting to make sure they are all right.

“Hey, Guys, are you both OK? Danny, that’s a nasty gash on your head, and you were out for quite awhile, don’t you think you should go to the hospital to get checked out?”

“Thanks Harley, I’m fine, just a little headache, I think I’ll stay right here so I can hear what’s going on, just to make sure this is really over. Will you take Michelle to the lighthouse for me, I’ll be there as soon as I can, Michelle still has some explaining to do,” Danny says giving Michelle that look he gives her, when he’s not happy with something she’s done.

“Danny, I’m not leaving either, I have just as much at stake as you, Harley, you go ahead, and thank you so much for your help.”

Harley knows that she doesn’t want to be in the middle of this, she knows how stubborn both Santos’ can be when they have their minds made up. “Well, I think I’ll just be going, you call me and let me know how everything goes. Bye!”

“Damnit Michelle....”

“Damnit Danny! Don’t even start with me! How many times have you saved me, hmmmm, I was just returning the favor. Actually I liked being the rescuer instead of the rescuee for once.”

Danny smiles his slow smile at Michelle, knowing she is right, and this is one fight he can’t win and doesn’t really want to have. “OK, you win, and by the way, thanks for getting me out of there. I love you, Baby.”

“I love you too, Honey. Shhh, it sounds like something is going on in the house.”

Michelle and Danny listen as Theresa and Bernardo start to argue. Theresa is beyond reason since she discovered that Danny is gone, and she has no idea how he got out.

“Poppy, this is unacceptable, how stupid are your men? Danny was hurt and he still managed to sneak out of here, if I didn’t know better I would think that little bitch Michelle helped him. When I find them I will make them both suffer.”

“YOU WILL DO NO SUCH THING! Danny was right all along, I can’t believe I helped you maneuver this. You murdered Mick, and planned to destroy Danny. You are no longer my daughter. I will not kill you, but I will not protect you from this, I am sure that Danny has told the police about you killing Mick, and you are on your own, get out of my sight, you disgust me!”

“Oh, I think not daddy dearest, I am you daughter and you will protect me or else, I will make you pay too,” Theresa screams at Bernardo pointing the gun at his head, “Gee Daddy do you think I will miss again?”

“THERESA put it down, you don’t want to do this.”

As Bernardo is trying to talk Theresa into dropping the gun the police come in the front door.

“Daddy, too late, the police are here, if I’m going away for one murder I might as well go away for two, after all, life in prison is life in prison,” Theresa says with a cold smile, pulling the trigger and killing Bernardo.

Frank and David burst into the room, too late, Bernardo is dead, and Theresa is holding the gun to her head.

“Drop it Ms. Sandoval, there’s no way out.”

“Get it straight Detective Cooper, it’s Mrs. Santos, and yes there is a way out,” Theresa says as she pulls the trigger taking her own life.


Danny and Michelle have heard the entire scene unfold....

“God, Michelle, I can’t believe she did that. She killed her father, and herself.”

Michelle wraps her arms around Danny holding him as tight as she can, “Honey, I’m so sorry, I know you cared about her and Bernardo.”

“No, Michelle, I thought I did once, but not anymore, I’m sorry it ended this way, but I’m not sorry they are gone, and you shouldn’t be either do you understand? Theresa was crazy and she brought this on herself, true Bernardo didn’t deserve what she did to him, but it’s over, and we are safe. Do you see that?”

“Danny we would have been safe if they would have been arrested.”

“I know that Baby, but actually we are safer this way, we can be kept out of it completely. Everyone will know that she killed Mick and that she turned on her father, when he refused to help her. We can finally have the life we deserve. I hope you don’t think I’m being cold and heartless about this, I’m sorry they are dead, but, I’m so relieved they are out of our lives and we are free.”

“Danny you aren’t heartless, honestly, I feel the same way.”

Danny turns in Michelle’s arms and draws her into a kiss. “Let’s go home Mrs. Santos.”

“That’s a wonderful idea, Mr. Santos.”