When Danny walked into the airport he noticed that everyone was in a hurry and him being him he thought nothing of it. He walked to the service desk to ask where the hotel rooms were. After getting the information he went to get Vlad up. On the way he saw a kid and his mother crying in the lounge area of the hotel. Not really knowing what he could do he walked up to them and smiled softly.
"Is everything alright ma'am?" he gently inquired.
The mother looked up in surprise then tried to wipe her tears away. "No everything is fine. Thank you for asking though."
Her son still looked so sad. "Are you sure there isn't anything I can do for you? If you need something please tell me."
She gave him a suspicious glance before looking at her crying boy. With a defeated sigh she looked down at her feet. Her honey colored hair hid her face.
"I don't have any money to buy my son food and our luggage's were stolen." She sniffed as she stood up. "Could you please buy my son a snack? I know he's hungry even though he tells me he's fine."
Danny looked down at the kid the same color hair as his mother and beautiful green eyes who had tears running down his face. He could see how confused and sad he seemed so he took pity on them and held his hand out to the woman.
"Come on I have something much better for him."
After a moment's hesitation she grabbed her son's hand then took his. He led them to the dining area where a beautiful waitress led them to a table by a window. After the woman took her son to the restroom to wash up he turned to the waitress with a smile.
"Can I ask you for a favor?" he asked. As she nodded he continued. "When those two get back and you take that little boy's order tell him to get whatever he wants and that it's free. I'll pay for everything. Would that be alright?"
The waitress smiled brightly at his idea. "I think that would be a wonderful thing. A shame that there aren't many great guys like you out in the world it would make living in it so much better."
He smiled at her compliment and took his seat. "I'll order when they return."
"Yes sir."
A few minutes later they returned and the kid had a smile on his face that made Danny happy. When they sat down the waitress came back to give them their menu's.
"What's your name sweetie?" she asked the kid who looked at her shyly.
"Jordan." He said in a quiet voice that brought a smile to her face.
"That's a handsome name for a handsome boy. Now when you get ready to order you can have anything you want. It's on the house." She said to the Jordan but the last sentence she said to his mother.
"A-are you sure?" she asked hesitantly.
With a nod the waitress took her order book out and turned back to Jordan. "So what do you want sweetie?"
"Uh, I want pie!" he smiled brightly.
"How about some real food first Jordan?" his mother chided. "We'll have a breakfast plate with scrambled eggs, bacon, toast and some juice please."
"Yes ma'am." She turned to Danny. "And you sir?"
"I'll have the same except I want a glass of milk and water."
After she went off to see to their order the mother looked at him.
"I'm Diana Ramben." She held out her hand.
"Daniel Fenton but my friends and family call me Danny." He took her hand and shook it giving her a warm smile. "If you don't mind my asking what really happened?"
Her eyes widened in surprise at his question. "W-what do you mean?"
"Your luggage couldn't have been stolen and you just not have money. Who took it and left you and Jordan stranded?"
"I-I just lost it. That's the truth." She looked down as she said this.
"I suppose that bruise you're trying to hide on your collarbone just happened to be there when you woke up." He said quietly so Jordan wouldn't hear him.
"Please I don't want to talk about it." She looked close to tears and leaned over to run her hand through Jordan's hair.
He hated to see a woman cry and was immediately mad at himself for being so cruel.
"It's alright because I know what it's like. The waking up wondering and hoping he's gone for a few hours so you don't have to worry about something flying at you. Or when you can't sleep because your body hurts too much." He gave her a hard and understanding look. "I know all too well what it's like. I was abandoned and left in the middle of nowhere once but that didn't stop me from making it back home. I also don't want to see that happen to someone else but life is sometimes very cruel and I'm sorry for that."
A few tears escaped as she took a chance to look him in the eyes to see if he was telling the truth. He smiled sadly at her.
"I know you may feel like a charity case right now but I promise that's not what you are. I want to help you because I can. If you'll let me that is." He chucked Diana under her chin lightly. "Besides I'm sure you would have figured something out had I not come by. Don't let this break you down it'll only give him more power over you. I can see you're really strong."
She chuckled at him. "Why are you so nice even after everything that's happened to you?"
"Because things happened to me I shouldn't look for my own happiness in the world? I may have been hurt but should really change who I am because of it? I know right from wrong and I know that I can't let them hold me back. I want to move forward."
She stared at him with wide wondrous eyes.
"Perhaps you're right." She said as their drinks were brought to them. She waited for the waitress to leave before speaking again. "But I have no money, no family and he isolated me from my friends years ago."
"There's always hope you just need to know where to look."
"I wouldn't even know where to begin." She chuckled.
"How about with me?" Danny said with a smile.
"Excuse me?" she looked at him incredulously.
He pulled out his wallet and handed her $600. She stared at him in shock as their food came out. The waitress watched with curious eyes.
"I-I can't take this from you!" she exclaimed.
"It's perfectly alright for you to have that. Call it a gift for having the chance to have met you and your son today. Besides I have more money in my wallet."
"That's not the point!"
"Take it and find someplace to stay and build a new life for Jordan. Do this for him and for you." He smiled at her. "A friend of mine once told me that if I didn't take her money and pick myself up then she'd strangle me to death and kill me in my grave. I'd like to believe that even if I felt like a charity case then that she really cared for me and did that for myself more than trying to look good."
"Are you sure?" she sniffed.
"Are you kidding? If I had a million bucks I would give you every cent to help you out. Besides Jordan's a cute kid. Who wouldn't want to help him at least?" he smiled at Jordan when he looked up.
"Thank you so much Mr. Fenton."
"Please just call me Danny. And you're very welcome."
The waitress smiled warmly at Danny before she walked off.
After breakfast Danny walked them outside as they waited for a taxi. Jordan kept running circles around him making him laugh. Diana smiled brightly for the first time that day watching her son look so happy at that moment.
When the taxi finally arrived she put Jordan inside and turned to him.
"Thank you so much for everything today. You probably saved our lives and I don't have a single thing to repay you with."
"Knowing you'll be fine is enough for me. I hope you do well starting over." He kissed her hand and looked inside the car. "Goodbye Jordan and be good."
"Bye mister!" he laughed.
With a smile Danny turned and walked back into the hotel. He looked back once more to see the taxi taking off and Diana waving at him. He felt so glad to have helped her.
He walked to the front desk and asked for Vlad's room number and went to find the fruit loop. On his way up he ran into said fruit loop nearly knocking him over.
"Sorry Vlad-"
"What the hell are you doing? Watch where you're going!" Vlad snapped.
"I'll try to see you next time but I make no guarantees." Danny quipped in response.
"Whatever let's go."
"Yes sir." He said under his breath.
Much to their annoyance the flight to Wisconsin had taken off early that morning leaving them kind of stranded. Danny's mind had ventured to a long car ride with Vlad and that was not a pretty picture since Vlad was in the foulest mood Danny had ever had the pleasure of experiencing this morning. No he didn't and wouldn't ride with Vlad if he had anything to say about it. The man was being an outright bastard the more they spent time around each other. It was ridiculous and unnecessary not to mention hurtful.
"Bastard." Danny muttered under his breath knowing Vlad couldn't hear him and made his way outside to freedom.
When he took a huge sigh of relief Vlad strolled out as if he owned the whole damn world. Goddamn stupid fucking ego.
"What the hell are you doing out here?" Vlad hissed. "It's freezing."
"It was crowded in there I needed some fresh air." Danny said a bit clipped earning him a severe glare. "Go back inside if you're so cold."
"I'm not cold." "Vlad groaned out of frustration. "Looks like we're taking the limo to Wisconsin."
Hell. Fucking. No.
"Take me back to Fenton Work's." Danny ordered.
"Why?"
"Take me back or we use the portal but we are not riding in that limo all the way there." Danny turned to glare at him. "We're barely getting along right now and it's only just morning. How the hell do you expect us to get along in that tiny space?"
Vlad narrowed his eyes while he thought about what Daniel was saying. But he wasn't a morning person and especially not today. Perhaps using the Fenton portal was a good idea to save time but then again he liked taking his limo everywhere. He sighed and turned to a fuming Daniel.
"If I try to act better can we still take the limo?" Vlad asked shocking the teen.
"Uh-sure, I guess." Danny watched the so called arrogant billionaire walk back into the airport to get his bags in complete confusion. What was with the sudden change in attitude?
When the older halfa returned with their bags Danny raised a questioning brow. He was subtly ignored and dragged to the limo. After a few moments they were on their way to Wisconsin. It seemed so far away to Danny he didn't know if he would survive in this limo with no walking space. Why they needed to drive was a mystery and if Danny asked one more question in his head he would go insane.
There was nothing but silence from the two for about three hours and in that time Danny just looked out the window thinking of what to do with his now fucked up life. He sighed when he spotted the astronomy convention. It looked like the brochure he had in his bag. If only he could just buy one little thing then he would be so happy right then but he remembered he had given his money to Diana and Jordan.
He chuckled to realize he didn't really give a damn about the convention where Diana and Jordan were concerned. What he did was a truly great thing.
"What's so funny all of a sudden?" Vlad asked. "Laughing about your missed opportunity for the astronomy convention?"
Danny smiled at him. "You could say that."
"You are truly confusing."
"Hmm. I try my best and besides I learned from the master." Danny looked away. "Among other things."
Vlad gave him a confused stare before he opened the window separating them and the driver.
"Turn around and stop at the astronomy convention." He looked to a shocked teen. "I'll only give you five minutes."
Danny couldn't believe Vlad Masters was actually letting him stop at the convention after all. This wasn't like him at all and when you thought about it was just unnatural. He looked out the window ready to hop out of the car like a little kid about to play at Disney Land.
When the limo stopped he had calmed himself quite a bit and coolly opened the door and stepped out. There were hundreds of people already there being that it was close to afternoon. And cold. Why would people want to be out in the cold?
Danny walked up to a table booth set out closest to him and looked at all the interesting things there were. All he wanted was something to prove he had been here and when he happened on an Orion Nebula bracelet he absolutely had to have it. When he was going to reach for it he pulled back remembering he didn't have any money.
"What's wrong?" a girl around Danny's age asked with a worried expression. She had a beautiful pixie-like face and blonde hair that framed her face in gorgeous waves and bright green eyes.
He looked up at her surprised. "Oh, it's nothing I just realized I don't have any way to buy anything. But this bracelet is really beautiful."
She picked up the Orion Nebula bracelet and smiled. "Yes it is beautiful. It made a very wonderful gift for my partner back at home a couple months ago."
Danny noted the way she said partner. "Partner?"
"Uh, my-my girlfriend." She looked down ashamed and smiled sadly. "But I love her so much so I don't care if you have anything to say on the matter."
"I would never insult you like that." Danny smiled warmly at her. "Besides I'm waiting for the one I love to realize I'm right in front of him."
She whipped her head up at the last bit. "You're…?"
Danny nodded. "Yeah I am."
"This is so cool!" she shouted startling him. "I never thought I would meet someone like you! Can we be friends?!"
Danny could only stare in confusion for a moment before her words finally processed. She thought meeting a gay man was cool? For some reason that made him smile. Maybe this day wasn't a bad day after all. First Diana and Jordan and now this girl.
"Yeah we can be friends." He murmured holding out his hand. "I'm Daniel Fenton. Danny for short though."
"I'm Nella Theone." She took his hand in a firm but gentle grip and smiled brightly at him. "Can we exchange numbers?"
He couldn't help but laugh aloud at her excitement but he handed her his cell phone nonetheless. When she took her own picture she handed it back to him.
"Now mine." She said as she reached into her pocket for her phone. "Smile!"
He did as told and smiled. When she only gaped at him he looked confused and worried.
"Is everything alright Nella?" when she didn't answer right away he waved his hand in front of her face. Her head shook as if clearing bad thoughts away.
"Oh my Lord you are so beautiful when you smile! Smile again, smile again!" she held her phone up to take more pictures and shrieked semi-quietly. "Aria is gonna love these pictures of you!"
Why would two lesbians love his pictures? He wasn't that good looking. And he was a guy.
"Why would she love my picture?" he asked incredulously.
"Because you're so beautiful! I can't believe I'm talking to such a beautiful gay guy!"
Like that explained everything Danny thought. He was still so confused when he saw Vlad getting out of his limo. He turned to Nella and told her to stop.
"He's coming stop talking about me being gay!" he said in a rush and gave her an apologetic look.
"What on earth is taking you so long Daniel?" Vlad asked impatiently.
"I was just talking to my friend Nella and admiring this bracelet." Danny smiled at her and picked up the Orion Nebula bracelet. "It's a shame I don't have any money with me."
When Vlad saw the girl smile at him he looked at her for a moment and turned his attention to Daniel. The sad and almost wistful expression made his heart clench and made him feel a little guilty for some reason. After another moment of staring at the bracelet he finally relented.
"Alright!" Vlad suddenly shouted. "I'll buy the stupid bracelet if you'll just stop looking at it like that!"
Danny was shocked Vlad had actually offered to buy it for him and couldn't help the smile forming on his face. He looked to Nella and saw she was smiling knowingly at him. Figures she could guess Vlad was the one he loved. For some reason Nella seemed important to him and he knew he wouldn't let go of her after today. He needed a friend right now and she was the only one that qualified for the position. She was the perfect blend of eccentricity, shyness and fierceness he needed in a friend. With a little dash of crazy she was just beyond perfect.
"One more picture!" Nella yelled at him. "I want one with your handsome friend here too!"
When Vlad tried to turn around Danny grabbed his wrist and held him in place.
"Just one picture Vlad?" he gave the older man his best puppy eyes. "Please?"
Vlad's eye twitched with annoyance as he sighed and stood his place beside Danny.
"One picture and that's all." He told the girl.
"Yes!" she shouted. "Now smile big you two lovebirds!"
Danny busted out laughing at her statement and couldn't help but love this girl already. Vlad on the other hand seemed confused and annoyed with her. After she said she had the picture Vlad started for the limo again.
"I'm leaving in five minutes Daniel." With that he disappeared inside the limo.
Nella moaned and sighed at his departure and turned to him with a wicked smile.
"I can see why you love him." She whistled a long note. "If he said my name like that I wouldn't mind being in his presence. You have quite the catch if that limo means he's rich and he's utterly sexy."
Danny blushed at her comments. "Yeah he's one of a kind. But I'm just an annoying brat to him so that leaves me mourning him more than loving him right now."
Nella nodded in understanding. "I feel ya. Aria never really saw me as anything more than 'an inexperienced child who didn't know what she wanted.' It took me months to make her even consider a relationship with me and by that time I had already incorporated myself in her life so much so that when she hurt me with her harsh words and I stopped going after her she came after me shortly."
"You're partner is older?" Danny asked curiously.
"Yes she's older than me but only by ten years." Nella smiled. "When she finally came after me it was to ask for my hand in marriage. After that day we've been together ever since. I'm eighteen now but I was sixteen when this all happened. We're getting married when summer arrives."
Danny almost felt like crying. That was a beautiful story.
"I would really love to meet her one day." He said. "She sounds really awesome if not stubborn."
"You're kidding right? I'm the stubborn one!" she gave a short laugh. "Aria pales in comparison to me!"
"Well I don't know you all that well yet but I really hope I do someday." Danny waved as he begin to walk back to the limo. "Call me or text when and if you get bored or just be random. Bye Nella!"
"Bye Danny and good luck with your love!" she waved and smiled.
He got back into the limo and they took off to Wisconsin. After a half hour passed Danny remembered his book Mr. Lancer let him take and went to reach for it when he realized Vlad was hugging the bag it was in. He almost laughed at the sight but thought Vlad seemed…cute in this position. There was no angry and rude Vlad Masters right now just a sleeping and peaceful one.
With a small smile he took Vlad's picture and sent it to Nella who text back how fucking adorable he looked. And he had to agree until Nella text again making him blush profusely.
'Molest him! Or I will!'
Danny rolled his eyes and looked away from Vlad altogether. She just had to tempt him with that idea didn't she? He hoped he could make it all the way to Wisconsin in this damn limo.
Be patient for the end of that book Danny's reading I will get to it one day. lol anyways I'm sorry for the wait and hope you enjoyed this chapter.
