As if they'd silently agreed to work on their issues separately, they didn't specifically discuss their argument after that night. Anna tried to focus on the fact that Danny loved her and her alone. She tried to rationalize that Danny was friendly and tactile with everyone…not just attractive women. On Danny's part, he tried to be more sensitive to her feelings while still trying to be himself.

A few days after they'd made up, they were tangled together on her couch watching the evening news. During a commercial, Danny said, "The weather looks great this weekend. We should do something outside…maybe go to a baseball game or something…"

"I'm guessing it would be a Mets game…"

"Of course…"

Anna laughed. "That's one of the many things I love about you…you always root for the underdog…even though rooting for the Yankees would be far less painful."

"Who wants to root for a team like that?"

"Probably more than half this city and beyond…and, in case you haven't heard, they are the team that actually wins every so often…"

"The Mets will win eventually…and when they do…it will be much sweeter…trust me," he said as he kissed her neck.

Anna smiled and shivered a little. "Are you thinking about going Saturday?"

"Yeah…"

"Oh," she replied hesitantly.

"Why? Do you already have plans that don't include me?"

"Nothing…it's just…your brother's wedding is on Saturday, and…"

He sighed heavily and started to untangle their legs so he could get up.

"Don't…don't do that, Danny. Don't shut down…"

"I'm not shutting down, but I told you last week that I don't want to talk about him," he said emphatically.

She shook her head as he rose from the couch. "Tell me again why you testified for him?"

Danny turned away from her and hesitated. Part of him just wanted to walk out the door, but he knew that would push Anna away and he couldn't afford to do that again. He loved her too much so he had to be open with her. "I found out he had a son. And I remembered…" he trailed off.

"Remembered what?"

Danny closed his eyes and then turned back to her. He sat on the chair next to the couch and rubbed his eyes. "I remembered what he did for me when we were kids."

"You always said he wasn't there for you…"

"No…he wasn't…after they died…he wasn't. He was off getting high and getting into trouble, and I got shipped off to a group home. But before that…before they died….he protected me."

"Protected you from what?" she asked, but she already new the answer. From her years of counseling and seeing the scars on his body, she'd already deduced that Danny was abused as a child.

"My father...my father was an angry drunk...like father, like son. You remember what I was like?"

Anna nodded.

"Well he was worse…and he took it out on Raffi and my mom, and anyone else who got in his way."

"I'm sorry…"

He just nodded.

"So you felt you owed Raffi…that's why you testified?" she asked.

Danny looked up sharply. "I don't owe him anything. When he bailed on me, things didn't magically get better in foster care. I more than paid for having it easier than him with my father. He doesn't know about any of that. He doesn't know about what I went through…," Danny said as his voice cracked with emotion.

"Maybe you should tell him…" she responded as she found herself putting on her counselor's hat.

"What the hell good would that do?" he asked incredulously.

"So he would understand where you are coming from…and why you find it hard to trust him and anyone else for that matter."

"I testified for him to give him a chance with his family. I testified because his son wants to get to know his father. I just hope that he doesn't bail on them, too. If he does…then I'll be there, but I don't think I'll ever be able to trust him. And as far as telling him anything…it won't do any good. With Raffi…it's always about him…his problems…his issues. He doesn't care about hearing what I went through."

Anna reached out and took Danny's hand. "I think you would be surprised. I know you don't want to hear this, but I think you should go to that wedding. If not for your brother…then for his son. If you really want to be there for Nicky, then you need to show him you are there now. That's the only way he will trust you if Raffi all of the sudden leaves them one day."

He looked up at her and smiled slightly. "That's actually a fairly decent point."

Anna smiled back. "Thanks. That Master's degree is finally paying off."

"Maybe I'll go…" he replied hesitantly.

"And I'll be right there with you…"

"No…you don't have to go. You won't know anyone."

"Neither will you…so we'll know each other. Please let me be there for you."

He looked at her skeptically. He knew it would be a completely new experience for her. "You're not going to try to stage some sort of intervention for me and Raffi, are you?"

Anna laughed and held up her right hand. "I promise I won't. I won't say a word."

"I find that hard to believe, but we'll give it a shot," he replied as he moved back over to sofa.

She wrapped her arms around him and laid her head on his chest as he kissed her forehead.

That Saturday, they were two of only a few people sitting on Raffi's side of the church. The bride's side had several family and friends. Nicky was standing at Raffi's side. Anna kept hold of Danny's hand through the entire ceremony. When the newly wedded couple walked down the aisle after being pronounced man and wife, Raffi gave them a warm, appreciative smile.

The reception was held in the reception hall next to the church. While Raffi and Sylvia were busy thanking and greeting their guests, Danny and Anna sat at a table to visit with Nicky. Anna couldn't help but notice that Nicky was fascinated by Danny. He looked up at Danny in complete awe. Nicky told them all about school and the sports he played. Then he invited Danny to his baseball game. He lit up when Danny told him that he wouldn't miss it.

As she watched Danny with Nicky, her heart swelled. He was so patient and sweet to Nicky. She couldn't help but see the father in him. She almost felt a physical pang to have his baby as she watch them together.

Eventually, Raffi and Sylvia made it over to their table.

"I hope Nicky isn't talking your ear off," Sylvia said sheepishly as Danny and Anna rose from the table to greet them.

"Not at all. In fact, we are quite entertained," Danny replied. "Congratulations," he said as he graciously kissed Sylvia's cheek and shook Raffi's hand. Then he turned to Anna. "Sylvia, this is my girlfriend, Anna Ridley."

"It's so nice to meet you. Congratulations to both of you. It was a beautiful service," Anna said as she smiled warmly and shook both their hands.

"Thank you for coming and for convincing this guy to come," Raffi said with a bit of sarcasm.

Anna shook her head. "It was all his idea. He wouldn't have missed it," she responded as she looked at Danny.

"Right…" Raffi replied as he looked at Danny skeptically. Danny couldn't help but notice that Rafael had a can of beer in his hand. When Raffi caught him glancing at the beer, he asked, "Hey…can't I get you a beer, Danny?"

"No…no thanks," he replied in a strained tone.

Noticing the tension between the two men, Anna quickly intervened. "Well, I could use a coke or something. I'll get us both something," she said to Danny as she followed Sylvia and Rafael back to the refreshment area.

Danny continued to sit at the table with Nicky. As Nicky continued to talk, Danny focused on watching Raffi as he circulated among his guests. Anna spent several minutes talking to different people, and then finally made it back to the table.

She handed Danny a cup of water and then sat down next to him. "Hey Nicky, your mom says they are about to cut the cake. You don't want to miss that. It happens to be my favorite part of weddings in general," Anna said as she smiled.

"You want to come watch, Danny?" Nicky asked hopefully.

"We'll watch from here, buddy. But would you mind bringing us back a couple of pieces? Anna will need an extra big piece," Danny replied with a smile.

"You know me so well," she said taking hold of Danny's arm as they watched Nicky go to his parents. "Are you okay? I couldn't help but notice…you are looking bothered…" she asked with concern.

"Raffi has had four beers since he walked in less than an hour ago. And he's left the room three times…"

"What are you charting his movements or something?" she asked jokingly.

He rolled his eyes slightly. "It's his wedding day. I wonder why he feels the need to get drunk."

"Have you been to any weddings lately? Getting drunk is like a rite of passage or something. Just because he drinks doesn't mean he has a problem. I mean it doesn't look like Sylvia has a problem with it."

"You never wanted anyone to know you had a problem with it when I was drinking either."

Anna sighed. "I think you are rushing to judgment…just a little…Danny," she said as they watched Raffi and Sylvia cut the cake.

Nicky brought them cake and then they took a few moments to meet some of Sylvia's family. Danny marveled at Anna's ease with the situation. She definitely stood out because she was the only blonde-haired, blue-eyed wedding guest, but she didn't seem uncomfortable at all. And even though Danny didn't look uncomfortable on the surface, deep down, he did feel out of place because he was so skeptical of Raffi.

They finally decided it was time to leave, so they approached Rafael and Sylvia to say goodbye. Danny was fully aware that Rafael was completely wasted. He could see it in his eyes and the way he moved. "Thank you so much for having us. Congratulations," Anna said graciously as she gave Sylvia a warm hug and then leaned in to give Rafael a quick kiss on the cheek.

Raffi quickly put his hand on the small of her back to keep her from stepping away from him. "Danny's always had the best luck," he whispered in her ear while slurring his words.

Anna glanced at Sylvia uncomfortably as she pried herself out of Raffi's grasp. Danny started to lungetoward Raffi, but Anna grabbed his arm and shook her head. "I think I'm the lucky one," she replied.

"You think?" Raffi responded. "Just don't ever screw up or disappoint him. He'll never forgive you…no matter what you do for him."

"Raffi…don't…," Sylvia said.

"Don't what? Don't make poor Danny uncomfortable? He's been uncomfortable this whole time. Danny likes to pretend that he is better than all of us…"

"Why don't you shut up, Raffi, and have another drink," Danny finally said. "You don't know what you are talking about."

"Let's just go, Danny. I'm sorry Sylvia" Anna said as she tried to guide Danny away.

"I know exactly what I'm talking about, Danny Taylor. It must have taken some big arm-twisting to get him to come today," he said looking at Anna. "You can probably get him to do just about anything, though. You're quite a prize, sweetheart. Tell me something—do you bring Danny boy around your people? Does he act white enough to fit in with them? 'Cause I got tell you…you look a little out of place here."

"Don't talk to her like that. What the hell is wrong with you? It's your wedding day, Raffi."

"You're my problem, Danny. You think you are so much better. Hell…you even have my own kid thinking you are better than me. You make me sick…"

Danny couldn't respond. He just shook his head in disbelief. He didn't want to make Raffi any madder, especially since there were already tears in Sylvia's eyes. He took hold of Anna's hand and guided her out of the room. Before they could leave, Nicky called out to them.

"Hey…do you have to leave so soon, uncle Danny?"

"Yeah, buddy. We have get home."

"Will you still come to my game?"

"Absolutely. Just have your mom call me to let me know when it is. Okay?"

"Okay. Will you come too?" he asked as he looked at Anna.

"I wouldn't miss it, Nicky. It was very nice to meet you."

"You, too. I had fun with you guys today."

"We'll see you soon. Enjoy finishing off that cake," Danny said as he gave him a smile and slight wave goodbye.

He hailed a cab and they both got in. At first, they rode in an uncomfortable silence.

"I think we should talk about what happened," Anna started.

He looked at her and shook his head. "No thanks. There's nothing to talk about. We shouldn't have gone. I shouldn't have listened to you. You don't know what he is like."

"I think it's good that we were there for Nicky…"

"Oh…you think? Actually, now Raffi is just pissed that Nicky seems to like me more than him…so now he'll take that out on Nicky."

"You don't know that, Danny."

"Would you stop?" he asked in an irritated, angry tone. "Would you stop acting like you know what's best? You don't know. You've never been exposed to anyone like my brother. How can you defend him?"

"I'm not defending him. I'm just saying that you shouldn't pass judgment after one day. He was probably nervous, and he didn't mean those things."

"He wasn't nervous, and he meant every word he said. He actually thinks that that I am ashamed of who I am…," he trailed off. "I'm not ashamed…"

"I know that. I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I convinced you go today," she said quietly.

"Let's just forget about it. I don't want to talk about it anymore," he responded in a hurt, wounded tone.