Young Love

Chapter 6: Ties That Bind

Okay life sucks, but there are good things in it; sometimes in tough times it's just hard to see...Maheli Phantom I am very sorry. This is completely dedicated to you, I pinky promised and I did get up as soon as I could.

"I'm so sorry," he said when her eyes met his again and his eyes spelled out nothing but apologies, "I don't know what kept me from realizing you're the only one." His hand under her chin snaked into his pocket, and she instantly let it fall with the obstacle out of the way. "But I don't have to convince myself of anything now. I know I love you Sam. Only you" he said as he drew the ring from his pocket "all that I've done you know I couldn't have done without you." He told her again like he had the first time he gave her the ring. "I just want you to share with me whatever is coming next," He took his other hand from the wall and grabbed her hand again in a repeat "If you're still willing to be there for what does come next." She looked at his eyes again they were shining only for her.

"Original" she said sarcastically with a smirk, the hurt only dully lingered now "I told you I wasn't a push over Danny, and I don't just want to be…used." She told him honestly; unsure of herself. She hardly believed Danny was truly hers the first time. Turns out the dagger could go deeper…Danny thought as he felt it burst through the back of his heart. He cringed at the pain her words brought.

"Sam, I could never 'use' you" she sighed at his words and cut him off.

"Valerie isn't the only one Danny. I want you to know I'm not just that best friend you can look to for a rebound. You mean so much more than that to me Danny." She let a tear fall as the honesty flowed; she brought a hand to touch his chest, to feel the faintness of his heartbeat "I want to mean more than just that to you" another tear followed the first tears path. He brought his thumb gently to her cheek, she shivered under his touch as caught the drop of sorrow.

"No one can compare to you Sam. You mean the world to me" his irises boldly pled into the intensity of her hurt; he tried to take the hand placed on his chest with his free one, but she pulled it away and hid both hand behind her back. "You're the smartest girl I know Sam; and you're completely stunning, sometimes too much for your own good," his cheeks burned when he said this remembering what had happened just a few hours before. The hand that cupped her cheek had moved to support his weight on the wall beside her. "You're my best friend in every possible sense of the word; you're funny, unique, talented, strong, and brave. I love everything about you Sam, everything. I know no one can compare to you because no one can hold a candle to you. You're Sam Manson and I want you to be Fenton one day and-" her lips touched his lips softly. A slow and longing kiss exchanged between them, she poured her emotion into his lips in that one perfect connection. They parted only so she could pull his body against her. She was between the wall and his chest; his warm breath fell into her hair.

He breathed her in and smiled with the acceptance. He wrapped his fingers around her forearms to gently tug them from his ribs. He pulled her from the wall she now rested into instead of fought, and looked intently at the hands he had in his. Her tiny palms were warm and soft, he felt as if his were in complete contrast. The ring was on the tip of his middle finger waiting to take its rightful place. "Am I just a best friend?" she asked hesitantly, still unsure if this was really real. Her mind was scolding her for kissing him so passionately when she didn't even know if that's what he was trying to tell her.

"You're much more than that," she smiled with his words and the pain seemed almost a past memory now. She gasped as he fell to one knee his thumbs now graced along the back of her left hand. "I hope" he said in a question. She smiled and all the aching melted away. She let her eyes roll and she fell to both her knees to meet him.

"And I hope that never changes" she told him in a whisper. He slid the ring on her engagement finger and she beamed. She couldn't contain herself as she dove forward setting him off balance into purple carpeting. Her body was between his legs and she jumped him like she had in their first 'fake-out make-out' only their lips didn't touch.

"It won't" he said in a chuckle wrapping his arms around her.

"I love you Danny" she told him and he anxiously tasted her lips, she hummed in delight tickling his throat; he smiled at this in their kiss. She pulled away still having more to say "there's more girls out there in love with Danny Phantom, you know?" she asked wondering if he was really aware what she had said to him earlier.

"Like Paulina?" he said as he sat them up placing her into his lap, still facing him. She frowned and he ran his fingertips along the worried line "You don't have to worry about them" he started telling her the realization he had with Valerie "I have someone who loves my ghost half and my human half. Someone who accepts all of me" His eyes met hers and she immediately went soft with his statement. Doubt was no longer an issue. He was hers, and she was his. She tugged at his shirt collar to bring him closer. Their lips collided and they showed each other the power of their love in the kiss. Their tongues danced together in harmony and the electricity of their touches flowed through their bodies enhancing every moment.

"Samantha Elizabeth Manson!" a shrill voice sounded from her doorway. Sam reluctantly broke to kiss and let her eyes follow the sound that had permeated the room from her doorway; her mother stood with her hands on her hips.

"It's not what it looks like Mrs. Manson" Danny started to defend as he realized how their position (along with the time of night) said much more. Pam glared at the boy under her daughter.

"You need to go home right this instant Danny. Sam we need to talk." She said turning her glare to her daughter. Sam responded by snaking her arms around the halfa's neck in an embrace.

"It's not anything like that mom." She told her in all truthfulness, "Danny and I had a fight, and he came to apologize." she glowered back at her mother leaving out the minor details. Her mother sighed knowing she could trust her daughter.

"Either way Danny you need to get home right this minute. It's a school night." She specifically disciplined them both. Danny grinned playfully at how comical such an intrusion was. He changed into Phantom with Sam wrapped around him and pulled them both up to their feet lightly.

"Yes Pamela. I'm sorry." He said to them both, he placed a kiss on Sam's cheek and under his lips a hot fire began. His lips pulled up as he flew away. "Goodnight" echoed inside the room to both Manson's.

'Goodnight' Sam answered in her mind, her mother's eyes searched her thoroughly and she felt embarrassment take over her. 'Thanks a lot Danny' she said internally with a wicked smile. She caught sight of the ring and the frown on her face pulled down even more.

"You really love that boy don't you?" she asked now in her calm high-spirited tone.

"Yes I really do." She answered easily. Her mother smiled and she began to take her leave.

"I trust you Sammy-kins" she said not letting such ideas harass her, "And I trust Danny too, believe it or not." Her daughter already knew about sex and she really had complete trust in them both. She pivoted on her heel "Goodnight dear." She said with a silly smile, she caught her daughter totally off guard with her trust, and she was amused at this.

Sam shook her head "G' night mom; and thanks" she added. She silently made her way to the window and opened it once again, welcoming the cool air. She supported herself on her elbows in her window frame and closed her eyes as the cool breeze blew through her hair. "Good night Danny" she breathed aloud. The ghost boy became visible at the sound of her voice and gave a small chuckle, her eyes quickly opened and he floated into her gaze.

"Sammy-kins…" he began to tease, the cheeks that rested in her palms shook at his name, "I love you" he said as he leaned in close to her. "Goodnight" he said this time only to her. She gave him a sleepy kiss and he sighed when it ended; with that he truly left this time. His mind and heart whirled together in complete harmony the electric feeling between the couple still loitered in each of them.

Sam felt whole again she giggled into the silent night and yawned before heading to her cushiony bed. A smile implanted on her face in her sleep as the dreams that followed were blissful and complete with Danny being the star in each of them.

Neither of them knew what tomorrow would bring, but each of them knew they'd have someone to face tomorrow with; because that is what forever meant.

Young Love,

Strong Love,

True Love,

It's a New Love,

Their gonna make it through the Hard Times,

And Walk Those Lines,

Yeah, these Ties That Bind; Young Love.

By: The Judds

The End! I hope you enjoyed reading this. I try to be accepting of everyone's opinion. Critiquing only makes me better for all of you. Please tell me your thoughts and opinions. I really enjoy them! It was really nice to write and think of a happy ending in a bleak and horrific time. Thanks so much for reading my writing. ~SimplySummer