Hard Choices
      Chapter 1
 

 
Michelle was led through the lock-down door by a guard, who had her sign a form, then handed her a bag of personal effects and released her. Even though she had on no makeup, and her hair was still up in a ponytail, she was as beautiful as ever to Danny. When she saw him, she ran to him, wrapping her arms around his neck and burying her face in his chest. It was all Danny could do to hold himself stiff, to control his instinct to take her into his arms and cover her face with kisses. But her life was at stake, he reminded himself, and he summoned his strength to push her away from him.

"Danny? What's wrong?" She stepped back and looked at him, obviously confused.

Danny let out a brief, cynical laugh. "What's wrong? Well, let's see, Michelle, I don't know ... maybe it's the fact that you divorced me that's bothering me."

Michelle reached out to touch his face. "I'm so sorry for that, Danny. You know I wasn't trying to hurt you, I just didn't want both of us to lose our freedom. I love you so much, I couldn't bear to think of you waiting for me, being alone, for the rest of your life." She smiled. "But I'm free now! I can't believe it, I don't know what made your mother finally tell the truth, but it doesn't matter, because now we can be together, we can go get remarried today if you want! Maybe the fourth time will be the charm, right?" She giggled.

Danny stepped back. "Michelle. It's been weeks since we've talked. You filed for divorce, you refused to see me. And you think now we can just pick up where we left off? Well, we can't. It doesn't work like that."

Michelle knew he'd been hurt by her actions, but she was surprised by this cold reception. "Danny, I'm sorry. I don't know what else I can say. Let's just go home and talk this out." She tried to take his hand, but he jerked it away.

"Rick will be here soon to take you home, but I won't be going with you. I asked him to give me a few minutes to talk to you. I moved out of your family's house, Michelle, and back into my own. I've gone back to the life I had before I met you, the life I should've had all along."

Michelle put her hands on her hips; her voice revealed her irritation. "Danny, this is ridiculous. You never wanted that life, you were glad to be free of it. What's really going on here?"

Danny took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself for the hardest part. "What's going on is I've taken control of the family business now that Carmen in in jail, and guess what, Michelle? I love the power. I missed it. Once you gave up on us, I realized that we were never meant to be. And now that the divorce is final, I'm -- " it was hard for Danny to say the words, but he couldn't let her see that. Her life depended on him convincing her that they were through. "I'm engaged to Theresa, Michelle. We're going to be married next month."

He wasn't prepared for the slap, and his mind registered shock that a girl as small as Michelle could hit so hard. He rubbed his cheek and cleared his throat before continuing. "What did you expect, Michelle? You wanted me to get on with my life, and I am."

Michelle couldn't control the tears that were now rolling down her cheeks, although she couldn't decided if she were more angry or hurt. "Danny, even though I filed for divorce, I never gave up on us in my heart, and I --"

Danny broke in, yelling at her. "That's a joke! You were always ready to give up on us the minute things got too complicated, or too hard -- after you found out about me and Drew, " Michelle winced at the memory, and Danny continued, "-- in San Cristobal, when Selena fell -- God, Michelle, it was like you couldn't wait to have an excuse to get out of our marriage, even after you were in it voluntarily! Well, now you're out. We're through and I'm getting on with my life, with someone who never lost her faith in me. I suggest you do the same. Go find yourself a genuine white knight, baby, because I'm through trying to live up to your expectations."

Michelle was sobbing openly now. Danny wanted so badly to reach out to her, to tell her he didn't mean any of it, that he loved her and always would, that she would be his wife in his heart until he took his last breath ... but more than anything, he wanted her to be safe. She had to believe that they were over, grief and move on to the sort of life she was meant to live.

Michelle looked up at him, regaining her composure and resolve. "I guess I don't have any choice but to let you go, Danny, if that's what you want. You're right, I'm the one who ended our marriage, even though I swear to you I did it out of love. But know that I will always, always love you. You are a part of me, and I'm a part of you, too, and I don't believe you will ever really be happy living a life of crime, married to a woman I don't think you love. There is one thing you should know, though," she added. She was certain that what she was about to say would break through his pride and his hurt, and then he'd take her in his arms and the world would make sense again. "I'm pregnant, Danny. I'm going to have our baby."

Danny's heart soared momentarily, but he was quickly restored to grim reality. He had wanted to have a child with Michelle more than anything in life, but now -- it just made everything more complicated. If Bernardo and Theresa found out about the baby, Michelle and their child would both be in danger.

"That's unfortunate, Michelle, but it doesn't change anything."

Michelle, devastated, ran for the door and into the arms of Rick, who was just coming in. Danny turned and walked out past them, unable to even look at her. He hated himself for every vile word he'd spoken today, every bit of pain he was causing her, but there was no other way, and now he'd have to figure out how to deal with the fact that Michelle, his precious Michelle, was going to be the mother of his child, a child he'd never be able to hold or play with or even acknowledge. When he reached his car in the parking lot, Danny pulled his phone from his coat pocket and dialed a number.

"Hello?"

"Jesse, it's Danny. I need your help with Michelle and I need it NOW."