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Chapter 35

Danny, still not believing his luck, grabbed a duffle bag and tossed it on his bed. He walked into his closet and grabbed several items. Tossing them on the bed, he began to fold them just as his phone rang in his pocket.

He smiled at the familiar name on the screen. "Hello, there Honey. How's the family?"

"Is she there?" Rusty asked.

"Nope. She had a meeting this morning with a bunch of midget wrestlers." Danny teased and pulled some clothes out of his dresser.

"What's going on with you and her, man?"

Danny then heard a female voice. "Is that him?"

"Yes, Carol…but-"

"Give him to me." She insisted.

Russ rushed to tell him, "She's been fully briefed."

Carol answered, "Danny. Sweetie."

Danny closed his eyes and smiled. He could just imagine her lying in her huge four-poster bed with her huge pregnant belly being kissed by Russ.

Carol continued, "I'm worried about you."

"I'm fine, Carol. How are the children?"

"How could you be? The DA opening an investigation? Trying to exhume Casey's grave? Mikey in trouble-"

"Ah!" He insisted and held out his hand with his eyes shut. "Carol. I'm on another plane right now where I'm not dealing with this."

"Give me this." Russ insisted. "Tiger. Hang on a minute. Liz wants to speak to you. Is that alright?"

Danny hadn't opened his eyes. "Of course it is."

Russ spoke to someone as he handed them the phone. The voice of a little girl began to speak, "Hello, Auntie Danny." She giggled.

He laughed with her. "Hello, Liz. Have you been drawing?"

The little voice said, "Yes. I have a good one of a spaceship."

"A spaceship? That's one I like to draw, too. Are you helping Mom?" He began to pack his bag again.

"Yes. I've been putting socks on her feet for her."

Danny smiled. "I'm sure she appreciates that."

"I've been drawing pictures for her, too. She says it makes her feel better."

"I'm sure it does, Liz."

"If I draw you some pictures, will it make you feel better?"

"I'm fine, honey."

"Daddy says you are very sad about Casey."

Danny stopped and closed his eyes. Her words brought back the pain he had managed to forget about. His heart ached as tears gathered in the corners of his eyes.

"Hey." He heard Russ fuss at her.

"Here is Daddy."

Russ's muffled voice spoke. "Okay, Liz. You stay with Mommy. Alright?"

Danny went into his bathroom to get his things together. Within a few seconds, Russ's full attention was on their conversation.

"Alright, Tiger. Out with it."

"Out with what?"

"This girl. Who is this woman?"

Danny smiled as his mind filled with Rose again. "Some British spy I picked up at the coffee shop."

"What was she drinking?"

"Tea, and do you know what? I'm going to marry this woman."

"See, Dear. This is the reason I'm in charge of all of your decision-making. You are not thinking clearly right now. Remember. You've been through too much-"

"I'm thinking clearer than I have in years, Russ. I'm happier than I've been in…." Danny stopped as he admitted it. "Ever."

"Ever? Like ever-ever?"

"Yeah."

"Well, that's just bullshit because nothing could beat that fishing trip where you caught that blond."

"This might."

"Come on Danny." Danny could see his drew up face in his mind's eye. "Is that even possible?"

Danny stood up and sighed. "Well, alright. You may have a point."

"Tiger. Listen. Don't do anything rash. I'm making your decisions for you and I'm telling you 'No!' You can not marry this woman. Not now."

Danny sighed. "Maybe you're right."

"I know I'm right. In fact, I want to know just how far have you taken it with her?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean. How far in your pants is she?"

"You make this sound like an STD."

"STDs are the least of your problems."

"Russ. I appreciate your concern, but I have this well under control."

"Doesn't sound like it."

"That's because you're talking to yourself at his point, man."

"Tell me that you're at least rubbering up with this chick."

Danny groaned, "Russ-"

"You're not serious about marrying this woman," Russ said and crunched an apple in Danny's ear.

"I am. How long do I have to wait to ask?"

"A hell of a lot longer than you have-"

"Oh, bullshit. I don't think there is a time limit. I'll have to think this through some more-"

"Danny! You're not thinking clearly. Is it just possible that this is the first good thing that's happened in so long that you're seeing more than is there?"

Danny stopped and groaned. "Russ. How long have you been practicing this speech?"

"Most of the day. How's it going so far?"

"Feels a bit rushed. Take a deep breath and keep going." Danny grinned and walked over to open his top drawer. He took out a small box and opened it to check the contents. He seemed satisfied as he closed it and packed it in the bag.

"Danny. Where are you with this woman?"

"I'm at my place, and she's at hers."

"Okay. I'll start simple. What does she do for a living?"

Danny looked at the teddy bear that sat on his dresser. A lump grew in his throat. "She's a… adult toy designer."

"Okay. I'm just going to say it. You need to focus on being Danny Morgan while this entire thing with Benedict and Tess-"

"I really don't want to talk about that."

"I know. But, Danny….it needs to be said. So, tell me. Who does she know?"

"Only Danny Morgan. I haven't told her anything."

"That's enough." Russ insisted. "What does she know?"

"Nothing. And it's wild too, because she doesn't know anything about that."

Russ chewed loudly in his ear for a few moments.

"Hello?" Danny said.

"What do you mean she doesn't know? Everyone knows."

"She doesn't. She's never even heard of me. How about that?"

Russ continued to chew. "Has she heard of me?"

"Oddly, yes."

"Am I hot?"

"Go to Hell."

Russ took another loud bite. "That hot, huh? Well, if that's the case, I am making a decision here."

"What's that?"

"You have to tell her. Everything. As soon as possible. The press's side of the story and what really happened."

"Why?"

"A foundation built on lies, man-"

"I haven't lied about-"

"I would like to remind the jury that omitting the truth is still withholding the truth."

Danny sighed. "I don't want to do that, man."

"Why?"

"Why? Because…" Danny held his breath for a few moments while he thought of the word he wanted to use.

Russ didn't ask for him to say it. "I get it, man. And so I'll just put this in your pipe for you to smoke-"

"Oh, geez-"

"If this was the other way around, wouldn't you want to know this about her?"

Danny groaned.

"There, I've said what I needed to." Russ chewed loudly in his ear. "Bottom line is…"

"I'm not allowed to ask her."

"Or even mention it, man. It may make her run like hell. I know I would."

"Yeah, you're right. But, it's going to happen."

"And it will be just as amazing then. So, onto other business. You're headed to Florida, then?"

"Yeah, Dad wants me to go talk to Mike and see if there is any reason to worry."

"Do you need me there?"

Danny sat down on the end of the bed and rubbed his eyes. "I don't know yet. Maybe."

"Alright. Well, a few days away may help with this Wolf problem, too."

Danny grinned at the thought of seeing Rose again. "The Big Bad Wolf. That's the perfect nickname for her, too."

"I hesitate to ask what she calls you." Russ smiled.

Danny chuckled, "I'm the Grey Goose. How about that? At least that's what she's always called me when I dream about her."

"You're dreaming about this woman?"

"Well, it's odd. I'm asleep. But, I wake up and it's like…a haze."

"Drugs will do that man."

"It's not drugs-"

"Well, whatever. Have a safe trip and think about what I said. And no getting married. If it's meant to be, there will be time enough for that."

Danny ended the call. Looking back up at the teddy bear, he stood up.

"New life. What do you think of it so far?"

The teddy bear sat silent.

Danny slipped on a jacket and ran his hands through his grey hair as he glanced in the mirror. "Still thinking about it, Roger?"

The bear continued to stare at Danny with his embroidered eyes.

He picked him up and kissed his face before putting him in the duffle and closing it.

"New life for both of us, Roger. Together." Danny said as he picked up the bag and left the room.

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