Chapter 19: A Glimmer of Hope
Although Maria was exhausted from the day before and gone to sleep early before Danny, she had quite a restless night. She kept waking up every other hour or so, waking up from nightmares that were about something bad happening to Ana in jail.
It was just after 4 am when Maria finally had enough of her restlessness and decided to get up and go downstairs. She didn't want to worry or wake up Danny, so she quietly slips out of bed. Before heading out the room, she grabs her laptop and heads downstairs.
Once she was settled in the dining room, Maria had pulled up her laptop, digging through records, searching for any information she could find about Ana's boyfriend, Miguel Gutierrez. Turns out Miguel had an extensive rap sheet dating back to his teen years. She had noticed something that had reminded her of a case one of her fellow homicide detectives was working on a couple months ago.
After a few quick searches, Maria sees a possible connection to that case and sends an email and text to the detective. After that she starts to look into the noise complaints made by Ana's neighbors. She had only just begun when Danny walked into the room, catching her off guard.
"Hey, there you are," Danny said, voice still groggy. "You feeling alright, babe?"
"Woke up early and I just couldn't go back to sleep…but I feel ok, baby. You can go back to bed and get some more sleep. I'll start on breakfast later and call you when it's done," she says.
"What's all this?" Danny asks, raising an eyebrow. As he approaches where she's sitting he glances over to her computer screen and notices a familiar screen. "Are you seriously working on a case right now? I thought we agreed that you were to be resting."
"I know," she admitted, sighing as she closed the laptop. "But it's hard not to feel like I should be doing something. Ana's still my sister, no matter how much she's… well, no matter what's happened."
Danny looked at her, his expression softening. He understood that family ties were never simple. "I get it, Maria. But this isn't on you. You can't save her from herself, or from this guy, especially not if she doesn't want help."
"But Danny, she might need help whether she knows it or not," Maria pleaded, her voice trembling. "And as much as she's hurt me, I can't stand the thought of her suffering because of some violent jerk."
Danny hesitated, then nodded. "Okay, let's do this together. But the moment it puts you or the babies at risk you're off this case, agreed? I'm calling the shots on this one."
Relieved, Maria nodded. "Deal."
"You serious?" Danny asks, unsure if she understood and agreed to his conditions.
"Yes, Danny," Maria laughs, reaching out to take his hand in hers. "I want to help my sister, however my babies and health come first. And I trust that whatever decisions you make, it's to keep me and our babies safe."
"Always, babe," Danny says, with a small smile.
"Love you, Danny" Maria smiles, looking up at Danny.
Danny bends down to kiss her, his voice soft, "And I love you, so much."
Maria smiles up at him, her fingers brushing the side of his face. "But if we're gonna do this," he continues, smirking, "I'm gonna need coffee and breakfast first."
She chuckles, gently nudging his shoulder. "I'll start on the coffee." She stands up from her seat, a playful glint in her eyes as she moves past him.
But Danny doesn't let her get far. Before she can step away, he wraps his arms around her waist and pulls her back, close against him. "And I'll start on breakfast," he murmurs, his eyes locked on hers, filled with warmth and mischief. "But first, I just need a little more of this…"
He leans in, capturing her lips in a deep, passionate kiss. Maria melts into him, her hands slipping around his neck as she lets herself get lost in the moment. His touch is tender but filled with the promise of everything they've built together, and she can feel his heartbeat matching hers.
When they finally pull back, both of them a little breathless, she gazes up at him, whispering, "Maybe breakfast can wait just a little longer?"
Danny grins, his forehead resting against hers. "I was hoping you'd say that." He brushes his thumb along her cheek, eyes filled with affection. "You're everything to me, you know that?"
She nods, her hand covering his on her cheek. "And you're my whole world."
Danny gently pulled her deeper into his arms, his hands resting on her waist. His touch was tender, his gaze dropping briefly to her growing belly.
"You're carrying our little ones," he said softly, resting his hand over her bump. "I don't know how I got so lucky."
Maria's heart swelled as he lowered his head, brushing his lips over the curve of her belly. "Hey there, little ones," he whispered, his voice warm and filled with wonder. "You've got the most amazing mom, and I can't wait to meet you."
Maria's breath hitched, emotion flooding her as Danny continued to place soft kisses along her belly. His devotion and tenderness were overwhelming, and she ran her fingers gently through his hair, anchoring herself in the moment.
"Danny," she whispered, her voice trembling with love. "You make me feel so safe."
He looked up at her, his blue eyes filled with emotion. "That's all I ever want to do."
He stood, pulling her close for a deep, lingering kiss. The world outside faded away, leaving just the two of them in the quiet glow of the early morning.
When they pulled apart, Danny grinned. "Now, how about I make breakfast while you sit down and relax? Doctor's orders."
Maria laughed softly, shaking her head. "You and those 'doctor's orders.'"
"Hey, don't argue with the chef," he teased, nudging her toward a chair.
As he moved toward the kitchen, Maria sat back, her hand resting over her belly, and thought about how far they'd come. Despite all the challenges, moments like this reminded her that she wasn't alone.
Whatever came next, they'd face it together.
———
After they share an intimate breakfast, Danny and Maria go back into detective mode. Together, they made some calls, Danny also reaching out to fellow detectives with Miguel Guitterez case history. Soon they had a more compiled list of charges they could use to put Guitterez away for a long time.
Danny watched as Maria stirred her coffee, her gaze distant. He knew today was going to be hard. After Frank's visit last night, he'd been thinking about the best way to share the news with her. The details were difficult to convey, especially since Maria had been trying to cope with her family's fractured relationships for years.
"Maria," Danny began softly, setting down his mug. "There's something I need to talk to you about Ana… and your mom."
Maria looked up, worry immediately etching her features. "Did something happen? Did she post bail?"
Danny shook his head. "No… your mom refused to bail her out. Ana was transferred to a detention center."
Maria's face fell, her voice wavering. "She just… left her there?"
"Yeah. It's not right, Maria. Your mom's letting her stay there, thinking she'll learn a lesson, I guess. I really don't know."
Maria's hand tightened around her mug as she processed this. "I just don't get it. Why is she like this?" Her voice was almost a whisper, heavy with frustration and sadness.
Danny hesitated, his gaze falling to his hands. He didn't want to add to her pain by sharing Carmen's cruel words. But Maria seemed to sense his hesitation, a look of silent understanding dawning on her face.
"What else did she say?" Maria asked, her voice steady but tight.
He looked at her, struggling to find the words. "Maria… I don't think you need to hear it. It'll only hurt you more."
She sighed, eyes distant. "Danny… deep down, I think I've always known why she resents me so much. But she's never said it. Not out loud."
She took a deep breath, the words spilling out slowly. "I know I don't talk about him much but….When I was young, I watched my dad treat her horribly… it changed the way I saw people. Especially men. I thought it was normal for a long time, and then, when I realized it wasn't, I figured it was something I just had to endure. I was scared of ending up in a relationship like theirs. And… maybe my mom saw that, maybe she blamed me for breaking things up by calling the police when I did. But it never felt like a choice. It felt… like survival."
Danny reached for her hand, his thumb tracing small circles over her knuckles. "It wasn't just survival, Maria. You did the right thing, and you know that."
"Did she say that's why she hates me?" she asked, her voice nearly breaking.
Danny looked away briefly, his face clouded with sorrow. "She told my dad that you were the reason the family fell apart. That if you hadn't 'interfered' back then, things would be different. But Maria… she's wrong. She's trying to find a scapegoat, and she's stuck in the past."
A few silent tears rolled down Maria's cheeks as she absorbed his words. "Before I met you, Danny, I thought I'd never trust anyone. It just felt… safer that way. I didn't want to be vulnerable to someone who could hurt me. That's why I put up walls with you in the beginning. It's just… how I've always protected myself."
Danny squeezed her hand. "Maria, I understand. I might not know exactly what you've gone through, but I see what it's done to you, how it's changed the way you trust. I'd never hold that against you. You're strong—stronger than you realize—and loved more than you know."
She managed a small, teary smile. "I do realize. And I'm so blessed. Danny… would you help me with something?"
"Anything," he answered immediately, leaning in closer.
"Can we… arrange to get Ana out of jail? I know it's risky, but I can't let her stay there. I want to give her a real chance, somewhere safe, away from that boyfriend of hers."
Danny nodded slowly, considering the request. "We could reach out to our friend who runs the shelter. They've got a program for women in abusive relationships, and she'd have resources to keep her away from him, at least until she's strong enough to walk away on her own."
"Thank you," Maria whispered, squeezing his hand.
They wasted no time contacting their friend, a woman named Amy who managed a secure shelter for women who had survived abusive relationships. Amy was empathetic, immediately agreeing to help.
Hours later, they were ready to move forward. But instead of allowing Maria to see her sister directly, Frank and Detective Baker arranged to meet Ana themselves, hoping it would be the reality check she needed.
————
Ana sat stiffly in the interrogation room, her hands folded in her lap. She looked worn out, the defiance she'd shown earlier gone. When the door opened, she glanced up, surprised to see Frank and Detective Baker instead of Maria and Danny.
Frank's expression was unreadable as he sat across from her, nodding at Baker, who set a tablet on the table between them.
"Ana," Frank began, "we're here to give you some options. But first, let's get one thing clear: you're not getting out of this without consequences. You'll still have to face court and pay for the damages you've done."
Ana's shoulders sagged, resignation in her eyes. "I get it. But… are you telling me I'm going to stay in here?"
"That depends," Frank replied. "You've burned a lot of bridges, Ana, especially with Maria. If it were up to me, I'd leave you in here. But Maria insisted on giving you a way out."
Ana's gaze dropped, guilt flashing across her face. "I messed up. I know I did."
"Messing up isn't the half of it," Frank continued, his tone firm. "But Maria has arranged for you to have a place at a shelter. You'd be part of a program that would give you a chance to start over. But if you return to your boyfriend, or make any contact with him, the help goes away."
He gestured to Detective Baker, who picked up the tablet and handed it to Ana. "Maria left you a message," Frank said quietly. "You need to listen to it."
With trembling hands, Ana pressed play, and Maria's face appeared on the screen. Her eyes were red-rimmed, her voice shaky as she spoke.
"Ana… I'm giving you this chance because I love you and you're my sister. You can get away from him if you want to. I know it's not easy, but please… please, don't waste this opportunity." Maria's voice broke as she continued, "The shelter can help you get back on your feet, but it's up to you to stay away from him. If you go back… there's nothing more we can do."
Ana's eyes filled with tears as she listened, her guilt and regret surfacing in full force. By the time the video ended, she was visibly shaken, wiping her eyes.
Frank's expression softened just slightly as he spoke again. "Maria's given you a lifeline. But understand, Ana: the restraining order still stands. You're not allowed to see or talk to Maria, and any attempt to contact her would land you back in here with no help. That's the deal."
Ana nodded, her voice barely a whisper. "Can I… can I tell her I'm sorry? Just once?"
Frank shook his head. "Not now. If you're serious about changing, that will take time, and Maria needs to heal from everything you and your mother put her through. She deserves to feel safe, Ana, and right now, that means staying away from you and Carmen. The only way you'll ever earn back her trust is by proving that you've changed. This is on you now."
Ana nodded slowly, her shoulders slumping under the weight of his words. She'd always seen herself as the victim, caught in a cycle of bad decisions and bad relationships. But now, faced with the reality of her choices, she could see the pain she'd caused.
"I'll… I'll do it," she whispered. "I'll stay away from him, and I'll do the program."
Frank nodded, his face still firm. "Good. Then maybe, one day, you'll have a shot at rebuilding what you destroyed."
As Ana was escorted out of the interrogation room, Frank sighed, glancing over at Detective Baker. "Do you think she'll make it?"
Baker shrugged. "It's hard to say. But if anyone can push her to change, it's Maria. She's stronger than Ana realizes."
————
Maria had sent for a variety of necessities, like clothing, toiletries and hair products, that her sister would be needing upon being released from jail. Maria had sent Ana a small amount of cash to help her get by at the beginning of her program. Since Amy's shelter was located across town, Danny had said that he would deliver the items to Amy while Maria stayed home to rest.
That evening, Danny returned home, finding Maria in the kitchen. She looked up at him, a small, hopeful smile on her face.
"How did it go?" she asked softly.
"With Amy, it went well. She sends her love, by the way. As far as the meeting with Ana and my dad…it went well, I think. He'll probably call me with more details afterwards," he replied, coming over to her and wrapping his arms around her. "He did send me a text that Ana agreed to the program. It's going to be up to her now."
Maria nodded, relief evident in her eyes. "That's all we can hope for."
Danny pulled her closer, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I truly admire you for doing this. Even after everything, you still wanted to help her."
"She's my sister," Maria said simply, resting her head on his shoulder. "And… maybe now, we can all start to heal."
In that quiet moment, Danny knew that whatever struggles lay ahead, Maria was finally ready to face them. Together, they'd find a way to move forward, one day at a time.
There was still so much ahead of them—putting away Miguel Gutierrez once and for all and healing from the toxic hold Carmen had on Maria and her sister. But as he held her, feeling her heartbeat steady and strong, Danny knew they could face it all.
"Whatever comes," he whispered, tightening his arms around her, "we're doing it together." He leans in and kisses her softly.
Maria pulls back to look up at him, her eyes reflecting a new strength. "Together," she agreed softly, resting her head against his. Danny then leans in to kiss her again, more passionately this time.
"Speaking of together," Danny smirks, breaking their kissing session briefly, "How about we continue this upstairs together before dinner? What do you say Mrs. Reagan?"
"I say that sounds like an excellent idea, Mr. Reagan," Maria smiles, giggling as Danny takes her by the hand, guiding her quickly upstairs to their bedroom.
In that moment, all the worries and frustration from the chaos they'd both endured over the past few weeks melted away with every gentle kiss and tender touch. The fear, the sleepless nights, the weight of everything they'd been through—confrontations, betrayals, and secrets—seemed to dissolve as Danny's lips met Maria's, as if they could erase the pain together.
Each touch was a silent promise, a vow to protect one another and build a life free from the shadows that had haunted them for so long. As he held her close, Maria felt a warmth and safety that she hadn't felt in years, a reassurance that no matter what trials awaited them, they could face it hand in hand.
With every kiss, she felt her heart settle, the tension in her shoulders releasing as she sank into his embrace. It was as though he was not only kissing away the past few weeks' burdens but also the deeper scars they both carried. For a brief, precious moment, it was just the two of them, cocooned in a world of quiet and warmth, untouched by fear or doubt.