Missing You Chapter Two

"So you spoke with Mary today?" The slender Brit could barely keep up with the petite girl who maintained her quick pace. The girl was on a mission, Nessa thought with a smile as she watched Sam push the door open to the spa. She had a few precious hours away from her husband and kids and she was going to make the most of it.

"Yeah, you should have heard how jealous she was when I told her Polly was giving us the full treatment." Sam announced their arrival to the receptionist and turned to Nessa. "You know she would have loved to be here this weekend."

The brunette's voice had a softer edge to it that Nessa was still trying to get used to. Danny and Mary had said motherhood had mellowed Sam but Nessa couldn't believe she was anything but the spitfire she knew years ago.

"Are you sure?" Nessa could understand why her friends had chosen not to attend her welcome home party, especially Mary, considering it would take place at Ed and Jillian's. Ever since she had heard Mary and Danny had left Vegas a heaviness had settled over her heart. She knew how much they had loved this town and couldn't imagine the heartbreak they must have gone through to make them leave it.

"Yes, I'm sure. When I told her about our outing today she got all weepy and nostalgic for our girls' time. She really misses Vegas."

"Why doesn't she come home?" Nessa was almost afraid to push knowing Sam and Mary had become very close since they had both left Vegas but she knew Sam wouldn't give up any information didn't want to.

"Danny's another story." Sam responded grimly, sometimes Danny McCoy could be quite stubborn. "They have only been home a few times, once for Ariel's First Communion, a couple times for McCoy Construction stuff. Mary said they didn't even come to the Strip, they stayed at Carol's."

"That's her step-mom?" Nessa's head was spinning; all the new names and people that had entered her friends' lives during the time she was in Europe still astounded her. She seemed dazed for a moment, trying to digest everything Sam told her until realization dawned on her. From what Ed had told her Nessa had assumed it was Mary who was hesitant to make the trip because of her father and Delinda. She knew it wouldn't have been fair to pressure Mary into coming home after everything she had been through and had given up on her friends returning to Vegas.

As Sam settled into the recliner and slid her feet into the whirlpool footbath she was surprised when Nessa suddenly excused herself and rushed out the door after saying she would be right back.

Six minutes later the heavy door to Ed's office was thrown open to reveal his winded daughter. Before he could get a word out she rushed over to stand in front of his desk where he was seated.

"Ed!" Nessa took a deep calming breath. "We were wrong, it's not Mary. It's Danny." Nessa exclaimed between gasps, hope evident in her voice.

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Rolling over Mary looked at the empty spot beside her; the soft strains of music coming from downstairs brought a smile to her face. The sun was just beginning to illuminate the cozy bedroom but she knew Ryan had probably woken up a half hour ago.

Sighing, she traced the crease on the pillow where Danny's head had rested close to hers. Ever since they had gotten the invitation to Nessa's welcome home party Danny had been quiet and subdued. She remembered the argument they had two days ago.

"Danny, this isn't a test to make sure you'll still love me if we're back in Vegas, around our old friends. You chose me. I know you love me."

"Then why go back? Look, we're not even in Vegas yet and we're already fighting." He said desperately, moving closer to his wife. Picking up a long strand of her auburn hair and curling it around his finger he leaned his forehead to hers before adding softly, "We already see everyone that matters anyway."

Mary had let it go, not wanting to push Danny anymore. She had said her peace but wasn't going to force him into a situation he clearly didn't want or wasn't ready for.

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"There you go, little man." Danny said sleepily as he settled the 18 month old into his booster seat that was attached to the kitchen counter and placed small pieces of banana in front of him. He poured himself another cup of coffee but left it by the sink where little hands could not possibly reach. The caffeine had begun to kick in and he finally felt like he had shaken off the funk he had been in for the last few days.

Ever since they had gotten that damned invitation he had felt this way. Mary had really wanted to go, especially after a long, emotional i-chat with their long-lost friend but he had quickly shot down the idea. After a little bit of arguing why they should or should not go he wondered if some of her desire to return to Vegas was because she thought his feelings would change surrounded by their old friends and it hurt. Mary completely understood his feelings and reassured him she knew their relationship was solid; she just missed her hometown, her sisters and friends. Besides, this was the perfect opportunity to gain some closure to his relationship with Ed even though Danny denied the need.

A little palm smacking the counter top in delight brought him back to reality. His son's chubby face was covered in mashed banana and his little fists held little round circles of cereal that remained stuck to his hand when he held it out for his father to see.

Danny took a step back and grinned at the site of his baby shoving more food into his mouth. Maybe if he had never been with Delinda, if he had been with Mary the whole time, the night he had found Mary again would have never happened and there would be no Ryan. Danny smiled thoughtfully and remembered what they had said to each other the first day he had come to Tahoe. The past is the past and they were moving forward, together, as a family.

"Want some more cheerios, buddy?" Danny said happily, turning up the radio slightly when a familiar tune from his childhood came on.

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Ed laid the pictures out on the table in front of him as he felt the Montecito jet level off. There were several glossy 8 x 10's, mostly of Danny with Mary and their son Ryan. He placed them in a timeline hoping to make sense of the past two years and devise a plan to bring his family back together.

He had successfully convinced Sam and Jeremy that Vegas was the perfect place to have a vacation home and since Jeremy loved to gamble and Sam needed to have a power trip once in awhile it had been easy. Even though their main residence was still Austin they made frequent trips to Vegas and Ed had enjoyed seeing Sam so relaxed and happy. Ed smiled inwardly thinking of the first time he saw Sam back at the Montecito. She had spent the day sightseeing with her twins but that night she was ordering her casino host around like she owned the place. The poor girl didn't know which way was up by the time Sam had gotten through with her. The young host had passed Sam's test and was now the only one Sam would deal with when she came to town.

Ed picked up a picture of Mike, Danny and Mary. It was at Ryan's first birthday that they had held in a lakeshore park, making it possible for Ed's private detective to act like a tourist and take pictures without suspicion.

Mike was back in Vegas, but only temporarily. Ed was hoping Nessa's return would convince him to stay after his consulting work for the Belaggio was completed. He knew Mike had stayed on the project as long as he had because he had been searching for information on the death of his cousin several years before. There had been a lead in the case linking a local drug dealer to her death and Mike had been trying to find out more ever since Ed's associate had given him the news. Mike still didn't know that Ed had called in a favor to have the case re-opened. It was Ed's way of trying to make amends for the way he had treated him after Danny left the Montecito. He knew he hadn't been fair to Mike, he had done a fine job but at the time Ed was taking out his anger and frustration over Danny leaving him on everyone around him. Poor Mike had to bear the brunt of it.

Ed had heard about how Mike and Danny got into the consulting business. Shortly after Danny had moved to Tahoe he had been having dinner with Mary at the resort she worked for and met her new boss. Danny had given the man a few tips on increasing security and was hired as a consultant. Word had gotten around and Danny was soon doing free-lance work at various resorts and casinos around the lake. When Mike had had enough of Ed's tyranny he had gone to Tahoe to regroup and visit Danny and Mary. Danny had asked him to help with some of the consulting work and soon a new business was born. Now they had customers all over who requested help tweaking their security systems and procedures. Mike usually did the legwork but occasionally Danny would join him on trips, but only if Mary and the baby came too.

They had purposely built up clients around the Austin area so Mary could see Sam often. In the two years since Danny had left Vegas it seemed he had never been away from Mary, not even for a night.

The older man let out a sigh of resignation. This would all be easier if Danny didn't seem so content with his current job. Ed knew construction wasn't Danny's favorite line of work so when he had heard Danny was doing odd construction jobs around his new neighborhood he had thought Danny would want his old job back in no time. It hadn't worked out that way; instead Danny had started to build a Tahoe division of McCoy Construction as a favor to Jack Perry. Jack's nephew Josh had wanted to start his own company but lacked the finances and reputation to build a business. Danny had set it up for the younger Perry and now that it was flourishing Josh would soon buy the company from Danny.

He looked through the photos one by one. There was several of Danny running with a large German Shepherd. The newest one was taken a couple miles from his house. The big dog was off his leash but staying by his owner's side. He looked intimidating but appeared gentle in the photos of him playing with Ryan and Mary.

There were a few photos of Danny and Mary spraying each other with water in the front yard of their small home. In the succession of photos it was apparent they had been gardening when Mary accidentally sprayed Danny as he came around the corner carrying a bag of grass clippings. Ed chuckled as he looked at the pictures and imagined what they were saying to each other when the pictures were taken. They looked so happy, how could he have been so wrong about them?

He had asked Danny once if they could ever work things out after Mary had returned the ring and Danny had just shook his head and said 'nah'. Ed had left it at that, assuming they had realized that what they had was just puppy love turned to friendship. If he had only realized how deep their feelings had been for each other than maybe he could have done something.

When Danny first left Ed had been in denial, thinking Danny would eventually come back. He and Danny had been estranged for months before Danny left but Ed knew the kid loved him and felt things would work out. Ed had considered reaching out to Danny once he discovered the baby might not be his but had decided to keep his distance as Danny had requested weeks earlier. When Danny and Ed's relationship had gotten to a new low after his condo was vandalized Danny had begged him to stay out of his relationship with Delinda, knowing it wouldn't have a chance under his scrutiny. If only he had listened to Danny back then.

When he learned Danny had gotten married Ed went back through old casino footage, pulling up images of Danny and Mary together. What he saw literally threw him. He couldn't deny what was right there in print, the love these two had for each other showed in the way they spoke and touched. Besides the affection they showed one another he couldn't count all the times they looked at each other longingly when the other wasn't looking. How could he have missed the way Danny had put his arm around Mary to take her home or kissed her on the head in a loving way long before they were ever officially a couple? This all could be interpreted as a brotherly gesture but Ed knew better. If he hadn't been so focused on his daughter's antics or casino business he would have noticed.

His daughter, Ed thought sadly. She had always let everyone blame Danny for the problems in their relationship until the day after Danny left and Ed had gone to console her. It was then that Delinda told them Mary was pregnant and Danny belonged with her. Ed had been unable to control his temper and began calling Danny every name in the book for cheating on his daughter. It infuriated him that Danny had been so upset when he learned Delinda had an affair with a wealthy businessman who had tried to persuade her to become his fourth wife. Danny was the worse form of hypocrite and he didn't hesitate to tell his daughter she was better off without him. Delinda had defended Danny and told Ed and Jillian that Danny had ended their relationship a couple days before she was taken hostage, the day Danny learned about the baby. Ed had still been irate at the man he thought of like a son for leaving them and thought Danny had just used Mary in a time of crisis. Mary had been through a lot with her father and Danny had no right to take advantage of her while she was so vulnerable. Delinda explained everything that had happened over the course of their relationship, including that she knew Mary was still in love with Danny but had pursued him anyway.

Ed pulled out the picture of his granddaughter, Sophia. She was a beautiful child with black hair, dark eyes and light olive skin. She looked nothing like Delinda except for her nose, even her personality was different then her mothers. Sophie was quiet and seemed to be content to play alone. She rarely fussed and loved to play with her dolls. Delinda had been a 'spirited' child and had preferred stuffed animals. Ed shook his sadly thinking back to the day Delinda found out Danny and Mary had gotten married.

Mike had begun to buckle under the pressure of running security for a boss he could not please. No matter how well the young man did Ed rode him harder. When Ed had gone off on Mike about a security detail and telling he would have to work yet another weekend Mike had refused. Danny and Mary were getting married that weekend and he wasn't missing it but hadn't told Ed why he was unable to work, only that it was none of his business. Mike didn't know what the Delines' reaction would be to the wedding and didn't feel right about telling his boss without Danny's permission first. When he had come back from Tahoe Mike had made up his mind that it just wasn't worth it anymore and quit, telling Ed of the nuptials that had taken place on his way out.

When Ed and Jillian went to break the news to Delinda they had found her in her room, staring out the window at the Vegas strip.

"I know," Delinda said simply before Ed or Jillian could say anything. "Danny called earlier." She turned to her parents; dried tears leaving a trail of make up down her pale face. It was in that moment Ed realized Delinda had still held out a little hope that Danny would return to her some day.

"They are going to be really happy." She tried to stifle the sob that escaped from her pursed lips and quickly brushed off her parents concerns.

"I am going to go to California and see Theresa for a few days. The doctor said I am still okay to travel."

It was then that they realized she had an open suitcase on the bed and she had been packing. Delinda had left to see her old prep school friend who was a designer for a LA based fashion house and had ended up staying there. She took a job working with her friend in marketing and PR. It was a position she was good at and Delinda still loved it. She had finally found her niche and was constantly traveling to cities of culture and meeting sophisticated people. Ed had been happy for her at first, especially since her position at the Montecito hadn't ended well. She had not gotten along with the chef hired to replace Wolfgang and her kitchen had been plagued by mishaps. What had finally driven her to leave wasn't the work itself but the casino gossip. Once word had gotten around about Danny and Mary she could no longer handle the stares or chattering behind her back. Some of the looks were for sympathy but mostly she was seen as the awful 'other' woman. It seemed that most of Las Vegas had been rooting for Danny and Mary to get together and now that they had there was no reason not to let their happiness show for the newlyweds, especially not to spare Delinda's feelings.

Unfortunately, after the baby was born Jillian was often in LA or traveling around with Delinda as her nanny. It had gotten to the point where Jillian had told her daughter she had to slow down; she was away from Sophie more than she was home unless Jillian took the baby on the road too.

"Babies need a schedule and consistency, Delinda" her mother tried to reason with her.

"Don't worry, I'll quit traveling so much once she is in school or she can be home schooled." Delinda was busy packing, yet again.

"Home schooled?" Jillian said incredulously. "Delinda, I can't keep following you around with Sophie in tow. It's not good for her, me or your father."

It was then that Sophie began living with them the majority of the time. Ed loved having his granddaughter around; it was like having a second chance to get things right in helping raise a child. He wished he could spend more time with her, which brought his thoughts back to Danny. He needed to find a way to get him back to Vegas. He wanted him to come back to help him run the casino but it was more than that. He missed the kid. Ed had let him down and he needed a chance to make everything up to him.

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"If you like Pina Colada's and getting' caught in the rain…"

The little boy giggled at his father who kept making silly faces as he danced around the kitchen. Thankfully, Danny's singing was a little better than his dancing as he tried to hit the notes without waking up his wife.

Mary walked as quietly as she could down the hallway; she loved watching Danny play with Ryan when he thought no one was paying attention. From the doorway she surveyed her boys as they finished their breakfasts, wondering how her husband could sing, dance and eat at the same time without choking. She felt a small movement in her belly and her hand subconsciously began to rub the spot where she felt her new baby moving. The young mother smiled out of pure joy looking at her husband and child, realizing how perfect her life was and how much it had changed over the past few years. Soon her thoughts drifted back to a little over two years ago when Danny had first been in her kitchen.

He had dropped his bag by the back door and followed Mary into the small rented cottage. The small home had become her refuge and although it wasn't technically hers she loved it anyway. They had walked through the small sunroom off the back of the house to enter the decent sized eat in kitchen. The house had a nice family room with fieldstone fireplace complete with wainscoting and built ins. The all season front porch overlooked the many peonies that grew along the low fence in the small front yard. At the time there was only one bedroom in the upstairs loft but it had a great view of Lake Tahoe. The house was located at the end of a quiet street only five houses away from the lake.

After showing him around Mary wasn't surprised when he had asked if he could take a shower. He had been pretty sweaty from his drive here, Mary wondered if it was more from the heat or his nerves that had made him soak his shirt with perspiration.

Her conversation with Delinda earlier in the day had been brief but what she got out of it had made her feel hopeful of what their future could hold. At first glance she had only noticed how much she had missed his smile and large, expressive eyes but when he had hugged her she could tell he had lost weight. After studying him with a little more scrutiny she realized he hadn't been taking very good care of himself. It reminded her of when his father had died and he had cut himself off from everyone who cared. He was much too thin and the dark circles under his eyes made it apparent he wasn't resting. This time she would take care of him - they would take care of each other. Now that the opportunity was here for another chance she wasn't about to let it go.

He had found her in the kitchen, his hair was still dripping from the hot shower but he had felt better than he had in months. As the water poured over him it seemed to wash away all the months of pain and regret leaving him tired but happy.

"How long do you have before you have to go back?" She gave him a small smile and leaned on the counter for support.

"I don't." He said quietly.

"What about work?"

"I fired myself." He said with a half smile. She couldn't help but laugh a little at his lame attempt at lightening up the mood but soon she turned away again.

When he saw the far away look in her eyes as she stared out the kitchen window his stomach did a flip-flop. Maybe she didn't want him here after all.

"Mare, please. Please tell me you want me here…." Danny's voice cracked and he could barely get the words out.

When Mary turned and saw the terrified expression on his face of what her answer would be she quickly wiped away the tears in her eyes and took his hand into hers.

"I have wanted this day to happen for so long. I didn't know if it ever would but somehow deep down I knew we were meant to be. I'm afraid if I close my eyes I will open them and it won't be real."

Mary continued to watch from her spot in the doorway, relishing the memory of what that night had brought. From then on they had been together and their relationship had grown into a wonderful marriage. They had gotten to know each other again and made a commitment to be honest with each other no matter what. Instead of worrying over old insecurities or second-guessing what the other was feeling they talked openly and honestly. When Danny became withdrawn and had difficulty sleeping Mary knew something was upsetting him, when she cleaned like a madwoman and became overly cheerful he knew she was upset. Instead of avoiding whatever issues might be going on, they hit them head on with honest discussions. Mary had expected more bumps along the way but there had been actually very little.

"Hey, mama!" Danny called out to her with a bright smile after noticing her standing in the doorway. She was quickly enveloped in a morning hug and kiss.

"You're in a better mood?" Mary asked, relieved Danny seemed back to his happy self.

"Yes, ma'am." Danny kept his arms around her before leaning in for another kiss.

"Mama!" Another little voice yelled, causing both parents to look over at the small child who was quite happy with mashing the rest of his breakfast into his sandy blonde hair.

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Ed approached the quaint cottage slowly, trying to get the words he wanted to say formulated in his mind before coming face to face with Danny and Mary. Now that he was finally here he was eager to make amends and work toward repairing the damage that had been done over the past few years.

The house looked quiet but he noticed some movement in the front yard. He saw a young girl playing with the dog inside the gate and at first he wondered if it was one of Mary's sisters. As he walked closer he knew it wasn't either Ariel or Ashley.

"Hi there." Ed said brightly. "Is Danny and Mary home?"

"Who's asking?" The girl squinted up at him.

Ed grinned at the tough little girl who couldn't have been more than ten or eleven.

"I'm Ed." He held out his hand for the little girl and smiled again. "I am a good friend of theirs."

"I'm Lily." A little hand jutted out and shook his quickly. "I stay next door sometimes with my grandma." Lily jerked her head to the side and Ed recognized the cottage next door from one of the pictures. Danny had been up on the roof replacing some shingles.

As she opened the gate for him Ed immediately leaned down and held his hand out for the dog to sniff. Lily noticed he seemed to like him by the way his tail began to wag. If the stranger was good enough for Max than he was good enough for her.

"Their not home, I just came over to play with Max."

"Do you know when they'll be back?" Ed said disappointed.

"Mary took the baby to the grocery store and Danny went to work." Lily came through the gate and shut it before heading down the sidewalk toward her house.

"He usually stops to get the guys lunch on the way in so you may catch him at the deli or Bella's." The girl called over her shoulder before disappearing around the fence.

Ed walked back to his car and got out the directions to McCoy Construction headquarters. With any luck he would catch him there since he didn't know which deli or what Bella's was and Lily hadn't stuck around for him to ask.

He was driving for about 10 minutes when a familiar flash of yellow caught his eye. Ed felt his heart beat a little faster when he saw Danny's camaro parked on the street. He pulled over and looked at the closest storefronts until his gaze settled on one, Bella's Bakery.

Ed tried to decipher the many emotions that seemed to come over him until finally telling himself to focus on Nessa. His daughter had been through a lot and right now his priority was getting all of her family and friends together.

Ed watched Danny eye the goods behind the bakery counter and point to something. The portly man had barely gotten the doughnut into Danny's hand before he shoved over half of it in his mouth. Ed took a moment to study his former protégée. He was dressed in a black suit, white shirt and matching tie. Ed wasn't sure if it was the fact he wore his hair longer now or if it was his lifestyle but his features seemed softer, younger. As he pushed open the door he heard a bell ring and saw the proprietor and Danny turn to see who had entered the store.

Ed could tell by the look on Danny's face he had taken the kid completely by surprise. He walked over to the stunned man who stood completely still and had even stopped chewing the doughnut in his mouth. Danny could only stare at the man he had once looked up to like a father.

"Hello Danny. Been a long time."