Hard Choices
      Chapter 6
 

Danny couldn't recall ever being more miserable than he was at this moment. At Theresa's insistence, they were dining at the country club, and shortly after they'd been seated, Michelle and Jesse had walked in, apparently to "celebrate" their wedding. He and Michelle had made eye contact as soon as she's entered the room, and it seemed like they'd exchanged a thousand words in that brief look -- I love you, I miss you, I need you -- but then he'd noticed Theresa watching them, and he'd had to break away.

"Well, it looks like Michelle is moving on," Theresa smirked as she sipped from her glass of Merlot.

"Yeah, it does. Good for her." Danny poured himself his second glass of wine. "She and Jesse always had special bond. I'm glad he's there for her now."

Theresa arched an eyebrow. "You're taking this rather well, Danny." She glanced over her shoulder at Michelle and Jesse, who were holding hands. "It can't be that easy for you to see your ex-wife on what looks to be a date ... especially considering it wasn't so long ago you were vowing that you'd never be over her."

"I will always ... care about Michelle. But I have accepted the fact that we can't be together, that this is best for both of us." Swallowing back a wave of nausea, he reached over and took Theresa's hand in his. "And I am trying, really trying, to concentrate on my future."

He was startled when Michelle suddenly appeared at their table. She was luminous, in a periwinkle blue sheath that flattered both her figure and her complexion. Danny thought he had never seen her look so beautiful; pregnancy, even under these circumstances, seemed to agree with her. Even though he was happy to be so close to her, he was immediately anxious about what she was going to say. He knew from experience that Michelle had a habit of acting on impulse.

"Hello, Danny." She smiled warmly. "And Theresa. I'm sorry to interrupt your evening. I just wanted to tell you ... personally ... that Jesse and I were married today."

Theresa nearly choked on her wine, and Danny felt his heart break all over again as he heard Michelle speak the words.

"Um ... congratulations, Michelle. That's wonderful news. You know that Danny and I both want you to be as happy as we are." It appeared that Theresa could barely contain her glee. Good, thought Danny. She isn't suspicious, at least not yet.

Michelle smiled again. "I guess everything has worked out for the best, hasn't it? After everything we've been through, Jesse and I just didn't want to waste any time now that we've found each other again, so we just went ahead and did it. Danny," Michelle said, turning to face him. "You haven't congratulated me yet."

"Congratulations, Michelle. I'm glad you're happy. That's all I've ever wanted." Every word was like a razor in his throat. Danny couldn't believe how radiant she looked. He was overtaken by a wave of jealousy. Was there something more than friendship between Jesse and Michelle? Had this plan, of his own design, inadvertantly rekindled something between his wife (he still thought of her as HIS wife, he always would) and her first love?

"Thank you. Well, I'll leave you two to enjoy your dinner," she said, and returned to her table.

"Well, there you go, Danny." Theresa was beaming. "Michelle has truly moved on. So we can, too."

"You're right, Theresa. It's time for all of us to move on,"

Danny had dropped Theresa off at her father's house and returned to his own home, which he now shared with Pilar. He'd had too many drinks at dinner and he was exhausted. He quickly undressed and slipped into bed, flicking off the bedside lamp. In spite of the fatigue that was stinging his eyes and making his every muscle ache, he couldn't sleep. He was wondering where Michelle was sleeping, and more importantly, where Jesse was sleeping. Were they sharing Michelle's narrow childhood bed right now, recapturing the passion they'd once shared?

The bedroom door opened and Danny sat up, immediately on guard.

It was Michelle. She slipped into the room and quickly closed and locked the door behind her.

"Michelle, are you insane? How did you get in here?"

"Pilar and Bill helped me. No one saw me, I came with Bill. I was lying in his backseat and we came in through the back entrance. I had to see you, Danny." She walked over to the bed, but hesitated.

Danny was angry at her for taking the risk, but more than that, he was terrified about why she'd done it. Had she come to tell him that she had, in fact, rediscovered her feelings for Jesse? Oh, God, it didn't matter, she was here, in his room, they were alone. He took her hand and pulled her down to the bed. Instantly, she was in his arms and they were locked in an embrace that felt so natural, so right, so intense ... Danny's fears were all disspelled by that kiss. She was still his.

As the kiss ended, Michelle leaned her forhead against his. "You have no idea how much I hate this."

"Me too. After you came to our table tonight, I was ... worried that maybe you'd decided Jesse was the man for you after all. You looked awfully happy."

"Didn't I ever tell you I was in the drama club in high school? I'm glad I was convincing. The truth is, I miss you so much I can hardly stand it, and it took everything I had not to slap that smug smile off of Theresa's face. But actually, I was happy tonight."

"Why?"

"I had a doctor's appointment this afternoon. I heard our baby's heartbeat, Danny. It was amazing."

Danny felt fresh pain at everything he was missing, and a renewed hatred for Theresa and what she was taking from him. "I wish I'd been there. Is everything okay? What did the doctor say?"

"Everything's fine. I'm healthy, the baby's healthy -- but we both need you." She kissed him lightly on the lips. "When will this be over, Danny?"

"Soon, baby, I promise. But you can't do this again. If we get caught together --"

"I know. But I'm here now, and we have an hour or two before I have to leave with Bill --"

"Does this mean Bill knows what's going on?"

"Pilar told him, not me. Can we stop talking now?" Michelle slipped her hand under the sheet and grinned when she discovered that Danny was entirely nude.

"Why Mr. Santos, were you expecting company?"

Danny reached around and unzipped the back of her dress. "Only dreams of you. But the reality is much, much better."