Chapter 5: Finding Danielle

Danielle

It had been over two months since her mother had passed away but Danielle was slowly readjusting back to life. After graduating from college the year before she had been working as a social worker in New York City where she and her mother had lived. But since her mother's death, Dani had been thinking about going somewhere else. In all actuality she didn't even need to work. Her mother had been the daughter of wealthy parents who died in a car accident . All their money and estate where left to Michelle and her sister. This gave Michelle and Dani plenty of money to live off from but they didn't usually flaunt it. Danielle would always be fine in the money department but she really enjoyed her social work. She just really needed to leave New York because it reminded her too much of her mom. Danielle was thinking about all this while she was at work and talking to her friend Kelli about leaving.

"Dani I can't believe your leaving. You love New York."

"Yeah, I know Kelli. I used to love New York but now it just reminds me of my mom and the life we had here that we can never have again because she is gone."

"I'm sorry Danielle, I'm just really going to miss you."

"I know but I'll still be around. Today's my last day working here but I'll be staying in New York until I figure out a new place to live and work."

"Yeah I know. Just let me know before you leave New York so all of us can get together and give you a send off party."

"Well, its been fun working here but I'm done. I'll call you later, okay? Bye."

"Bye."

Randy

For the past month Ric had been acting strange but Randy couldn't figure out why. Ric had been very quiet lately. It seemed like he was always thinking about something or someone else and it was beginning to show in his work. Randy decided to talk with Ric to find out what was on his mind.

"Hey Ric, what's going on?"

"Hey Randy, nothing really I'm just getting ready to leave."

"Oh, its just that you've seemed a little distracted lately."

"Yeah, I know I've been thinking about some things."

"Oh, anything you'd like to share?"

"I don't want to burden you with my problems Randy. Anyways I'm taking a few days off so I should be better when I come back."

"Okay, will you be back next week for Raw?"

"Yeah, I'm only taking a week off."

"Oh okay, maybe I'll talk to you later. Bye"

"Bye"

Ric just barely had some time off to go visit his wife so Randy couldn't imagine why Ric needed to take some more time off. Randy couldn't help but find himself wondering what could possibly be wrong. Ric had said he was fine but Randy knew Ric well enough to know that something was definitely bothering him.

Ric

"Hey Kyle, this is Ric, did you find anything out about that girl I was wondering about."

"Yes, Danielle Harrison works as a social worker in New York City but she just quit her job to move somewhere else. I can only imagine it would be because New York reminds her of her mother. Anyways she is 23 years old and her birthday is June 19. She lives in an upscale apartment downtown, by herself since her mother passed away. I faxed you her home phone number plus address and her cell phone number."

"Thanks a lot Kyle, you've been a huge help"

"No problem Ric. I'll talk to you later."

"Bye"

Ric had been torturing himself for a month trying to figure out what to do. He finally decided he had to talk to Danielle but first he had to find her so enlisted the aid of his private detective friend, Kyle. Next he wanted to tell his wife about Danielle first. This was a slightly harder problem. He was thankful that he had already told his wife about Michelle and she had forgiven him but Danielle would be a constant reminder. Ric wasn't sure how his wife would handle it. His plan was to talk to his wife first and smooth things over then get a hold of Danielle.

"Hey honey"

"Ric, I'm so glad you are home for a few days."

"Ya me too. Beth I know I just got here but we really need to talk."

"I don't like the way that sounds but okay."

"Remember when we were going through our rough time and slept with Michelle."

"Yes Ric I remember but why do you always have to open up old wounds like that?"

"Honey this is going to be hard for you but Michelle had a daughter and I'm the father."

"What?"

"Michelle passed away from cancer 2 months ago but sent me this" handing his wife the scrapbook "There is a letter from Michelle telling me about Danielle and the rest is a scrapbook of Danielle's life. There is also a letter to Danielle from her mom if I decide to tell Danielle."

"What do you mean, if you decide to tell?"

"Michelle never told Danielle who her father was. She just wanted me to know and left the rest up to me."

"Ric this is really hard for me to take in."

"Yeah, I know baby. I just hope you can accept her because I've decided to tell her that I'm her father."

"Ric I understand and I agree that you should definitely tell her. I know she just lost her mom but if you're going to be involved in her life I would like to be too."

"That's great honey. I love you."

"I love you too. I'm going to spend a few days here just for a break and then Raw is in New York City this Monday so I can talk to Danielle."

"That's a good plan but you're going to call her ahead of time right?"

"Yeah, but what should I say to make her meet with me?"

"Just tell her you would like to talk about Michelle. I think she'll understand."

"Ya, I think you're right. Thanks honey."

"You are very welcome." she said giving him a kiss

Ric still wasn't sure if he could make himself go through with telling Danielle the truth but he knew that he had too. He knew it was the right thing to do. He had already missed 23 years of Dani's life and he didn't want to miss any more of it. No matter what he was going to tell Dani that she was his daughter.

Well here is another chapter. Thank you to my reviewers. I really appreciate the reviews and I'm glad you all are enjoying the story because I love writing it. I hope you like this chapter and REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW (Please!)