Warning: Adult content. Don't read if it's not for you.
Disclaimer: Danny Phantom is owned by Butch Hartman and Nick. I'm with neither one.
Chapter 14: Hoping for the Best
I heard what Dani said but I couldn't believe it. "What," I declared. "No," I denied.
"We have to," Dani said, looking to me. "There is no other way around it. I'm sorry, Danny, but I don't trust the clinic to take care of me like M-mom would." Her voice broke and she nearly broke down in tears. I wrapped my arm around her side tighter.
"There has to be another way," I pleaded.
Dani looked to my parents. "I'm not really your daughter," she said softly.
"Dani," I pleaded again, my voice breaking.
"What," Mom asked, incredulously. "I remember delivering you, honey. Of course you are my daughter!"
"No," Dani shook her head.
"We don't have to do this," I declared.
"You have memories inserted of delivering me," Dani continued despite by outburst.
"What do you mean," Dad asked, puzzled.
"Danielle," I cried.
"I'm a clone," Dani spoke with determination. I swallowed the bile in my throat. "I'm not your biological daughter. I moved in here after the Disasteroid but I left to be on my own. When Danny found me five months ago, I was being held hostage at my creator's house and he had impregnated me. Danny inserted me in your memories to make you think I was your daughter."
Mom and Dad's faces paled and I put my hand in front of her. "She is my sister," I declared, glaring at my parents. "I don't care how she came to be, she is my sister!"
"You're Danny's clone, right," Mom asked, swallowing hard. She had a similar reaction after the Disasteroid but there was no guarantee that it would go the same way. Dani was going to tell her she was made with ectoplasm and she had ghost powers. Mom and Dad might not accept a ghost modeled after their son.
"Yes," Dani nodded.
"She's my sister," I declared again. I would not let them hurt her or my nephews.
"How old are you," Dad asked.
"I'm genetically fourteen but biologically a year and a half," Dani said softly.
"Why were you created," Mom asked.
"Are you serious," I declared. "This doesn't change anything! Dani is still my sister and she is still in danger! This can damn well wait!"
Mom snapped her head to the side, shaking it to clear her thoughts. "Of course. I'm sorry." Mom stepped forward, taking Dani's shoulders in her hands. Mom looked her in the eye. "You are my daughter. I don't care how you came into this world, I still love you as my own. We will discuss this later but right now, I need to get the boys out of you."
"But before you do, you need to know something," Dani sighed. Her eyes filled with tears.
"You're built on ectoplasm," Mom surprisingly replied. "It's not too hard to figure out. For him to have built a fully-matured clone out of nothing, he would have to build it on a platform that could modify. Only ectoplasm would allow the embryo and the child to develop. He screwed up, though. He added an extra chromosome and didn't allow the ectoplasm to mature long enough. As soon as he removed you, the ectoplasm set and you were frozen at this developmental stage. That's why you're younger and a female. That's why you can't deliver."
"And you accept that," Dani asked, shocked. "I'm a ghost, basically."
"I don't care what you are," Mom shook her head. She picked up the Doppler. "You're my daughter first and foremost. Anything else doesn't matter."
Dani's lips turned up in a smile. "What," Dad asked. "Did you expect us not to accept you? You're still my little pumpkin, Danielle. I'll love you no matter what."
I've told her not to show them her ghost form, Tucker added telepathically. She's only to use powers in human form in front of them.
Good thinking, I returned.
"I'll want to do some tests later but for right now, we've got two children to deliver," Mom said softly. She put on gloves, preparing to deliver Jacky and Jamie. I took Dani's hand and held it tightly.
"I'll be right here, sis," I said, locking eyes with her.
"I know you will, cuz," Dani smiled. "You have never let me down."
"Cuz," Dad questioned.
"I told him I was his third cousin once removed when we first met," Dani replied. "We call each other cousins."
"Well, your siblings," Dad said sternly. "So give up this clone and cousin idea. You're my daughter."
"I knew you would accept me," Dani smiled. "I was just worried about the ectoplasm."
"So you're made of ectoplasm instead of tissue," Mom shrugged, pulling liquid into a syringe. "You're still my little girl. And Daniel, big trouble for making memories that I didn't live!"
"You walked in on me with a strange girl who just so happened to be very pregnant," I shrugged. "I knew I was going to make her my sister so instead of wasting my time on an explanation that would be useless in the end, I just inserted her in everyone's memories."
"I like that you created her and made her real but I don't like that I have these memories of a child I didn't have. It makes it seem like I could only love Danielle if I gave birth to her. I can handle that she's my daughter that I didn't raise."
"After this is over, I'll return your memories," I sighed. There's no point in denying it anymore. The town may know Danny Phantom has the Reality Gauntlet but my parents also know Danny Fenton has it. Strange, because both are right.
Mom removed the air bubbles from the syringe and walked over to the bed. She sat down gently, putting her hand on Dani's shoulder. "An epidural probably wouldn't help now that I know you're made of ectoplasm. But I'll leave that up to you. I'll do whatever you want, honey."
Dani looked to me. I sighed. "She'll need lots of it. Ectoplasm purifies the body of any foreign bodies so while the epidural might be there to help, the ectoplasm wouldn't know that."
"So it can affect her," Mom asked, wrinkling her brow.
"Sure," I nodded. "But it will take lots of it. I am serious. When you think it's too much, double it."
"What happens if we give her too much," Dad asked.
"No such thing," I replied. "Her ectoplasm will continue to clean it out. She'll more likely need it dripping in her veins with an IV. There's just no way to weaken her immune system."
"One, how do you know this and two, do you know why," Mom asked.
"We've done some tests," Tucker spoke up. I did not want to tell her that ectoplasm is a universal healer. It cures everything from scratches to the common cold and even cancer and aids. There's just nothing that can stop it. But Mom is so close to my secret, and she'll only get closer now that she knows about Dani; I cannot let her know that ectoplasm heals everything. She'll figure out my ecto-poisoning isn't.
"You've done tests," Dad asked incredulously.
"At our headquarters and here before it was built," Sam replied. "We were curious what ectoplasm was. We tried to weaken it with water but it dissolved away. We added several chemicals and nothing seemed to weaken the ectoplasm."
"And it wasn't even real," Tucker replied. "It was just in a petri dish!"
Mom looked to Dad. "Could ectoplasm have even more uses we've never discovered?!"
"And could our children have discovered them before we did," Dad returned right back to her.
"I think we need to start learning from them," Mom laughed. We all chuckled softly. "Okay, Danielle, I'm going to go get an IV with epidural solution in it. I'll be right back."
"Thanks, Mom," Dani smiled. Mom rubbed her cheek, kissing her quickly. She walked away from the bed, putting the syringe on the table.
Dad sat down where Mom was earlier, taking Dani's hand in his. "You need to be honest with me, pumpkin. What did the man who created you do?"
"I've already told Danny," Dani sighed. "I don't know if I can say it again."
"Then I'll get it out of Danny," Dad said, squeezing her hand. "But I need you to tell me one thing, sweetheart. Are you still a virgin?" Dani closed her eyes, tears breaching the lids. She shook her head no. Dad pulled her in a hug, comforting her. "He's not your father," Dad said sternly. "No father would ever hurt you like that."
"I-I know," Dani whimpered. "He didn't mean to hurt me, though, Dad. He thought he was helping."
"Impregnating a fourteen year old girl is helping," Dad scoffed. "I'd like to tear that bastard apart with my bare hands."
"It's not like you think, Dad," I sighed. "He's insane. He has been for a while. He's trying to change, be a better person, but he slips sometimes. He impregnated Dani because he felt she needed a purpose and then he thought she should have her cherry popped. He told me he thought he was protecting her and he didn't really do anything. He just… penetrated."
"There are other things out there that do that sort of thing," Dad growled. "Besides, her hymen wouldn't even really pose a problem. Certainly not enough for him to have to protect her." He spat the word protect.
"Trust me," I growled. "I made him pay."
"You beat the hell out of him for me," Dad asked.
"No," I shook my head. "I nearly killed him for Dani."
"Dani," Dad asked, looking to her. "Do you prefer Dani?"
Dani chuckled, putting her hand behind her neck. I laughed, seeing myself so much in her. Dani sent me a playful glare. "That's how I introduced myself. I've grown more attracted to the feminine form, though." She was looking at Dad now.
"I've always liked the name D-a-n-i," Dad smiled. He looked to me. "I didn't think Danny was a boy's name. I wanted a Danielle and call her Dani but Maddie put her foot down." His voice got a pitch as he mocked Mom, "You named the last one! It's my turn now!"
"Yeah," I laughed. "You didn't like Danny. What did you want to name a son?"
"Jack, Jr.," Dad declared proudly. However, I heard Jack Phantom. I shuttered. "Jazz, Jack, Jr., and Dani."
"Sorry, Dad, but I like Danny better," I laughed.
"It worked out," Dad smiled. "I still think Danny for a boy name was dumb but your mother had her heart set. I can still see her looking down in those baby blues of yours and saying it was perfect. Her perfect Daniel "Danny" James Fenton."
I smiled softly. "I've really been a disappointment lately. I hope you know I still love you."
"You're not a disappointment, son," Dad looked to me seriously. "None of you kids are. We love each and every one of you with all our hearts. We know what it is like being this age and it's worse for you kids. Most kids only feel like they're adults. You kids are adults as silly as that sounds. With two personalities, it's bound to start tugging at your soul."
"We've always raised ourselves," Jazz said softly. "You and Mom worked so much and we understand why but one day you guys show up and you want to be our parents again. It's hard to get back in the habit of being the kid."
"And with me being a parent myself," I sighed. "I forget sometimes that I'm someone else's kid, too. I really do love you guys. I've just got things I have to do. We all do."
"Your mother and I understand that, too, Danny," Dad said, looking to me. "We just want you kids to slow down. Childhood goes by so fast anyhow."
"Childhood is gone," Sam remarked. "At least ours is. You can't be a child with the fate of the world on your shoulder."
"We understand that too," Dad sighed. "We just don't want to accept that. For such a big consequence, big actions must be in order."
"And believe me," I sighed. "We've all done those big actions. You can't stop it, Dad. No one can save us."
For once, I saw tears in Dad's eyes. He blinked them away, of course, stubborn as hell. I remember being like that: refusing to cry. Before I met Vlad, the thought of crying made me angry. Now, I've cried so many tears that it doesn't really bother me. Well, I say it doesn't bother me. I still get angry when I get emotional. "It's not fair," Dad bit back. "You're just kids! You should not have to do things like this. Someone should protect you."
"No one is that strong," Tucker said softly. "The dues we have to pay are big ones. The actions we have to do are tough. The consequences we face if we lose are dire. There's no one out there who can shoulder what we do."
"How did you get so strong," Dad whispered. I could taste the fear, grief and anger on him.
"One moment in time," Sam said, looking to me. Jazz and Val weren't there but we can pass down our knowledge we've learned. You just can't get the experience we have without going through what we have. Jazz has shouldered things on her own and so has Valerie. They're tough like we were but we just can't make them out to be us. The life lessons we learned August 27, 2004 just can't be completely duplicated. That's why it rests on our three's shoulders only. Jazz, Val and even Dani can help balance it but they can't hold it. They weren't there. They didn't learn the meaning of time. They didn't learn the meaning of life.
"And all five of you experienced it at the same time," Dad asked, incredulously.
"No," Tucker shook his head. "Jazz, Val and Dani won't ever have the experience we have. No one will have the experience we have."
"Just you three," Dad breathed, his eyes widening. "So Jazz, Val and Danielle don't have that strength."
"Not alone," Jazz shook her head. "If Danny, Sam and Tucker weren't here, we wouldn't last one minute."
"So what did the three of you learn that makes you kids the only ones," Dad asked.
"We learned the secret of life," Sam said, looking to Dad. "We learned what it means to be born, what it means to be alive, what it means to die, and what it means to be dead."
"More importantly, we learned the difference between the four," Tucker sighed.
"That's what makes us stronger," we three said in sync. Anyone who would say there's only two differences there doesn't know the things we know.
"The difference between life and death," Dad asked. "That's easy. You're alive in one and you're not in the other."
I shook my head. "That's not what Tuck said," I stated.
"What's the difference between the four? The most simple one is what's the difference between being born and being alive?"
"They're the same," Dad declared.
"What's the same," Mom asked as she stepped in the room.
"I really wished you could hear this," Dad sighed. "This is confusing me!"
"That's the simplest comparison," Sam replied. "You really want to blow your mind, what's the difference between being dead and dying."
"Wait," Mom declared. "Back up. What's going on?"
"Dad wanted to know what makes us the only ones who can carry the burdens we do," I replied. "If you want to be able to carry these things, you need to know the difference between being born, being alive, dying and being dead."
"There's four differences," Mom asked, her eyes wide.
"Oh, no," Sam shook her head, blinking. "There's much more than four. It's what makes our world spin. It's what interlocks us and drives the world around us. If you can figure that out, then you have the experience we have."
"The only thing we can do now is try to teach you what we've learned," Tucker replied softly.
"It'll never be enough," I added. "But we can improvise."
"That's why we can't give this up," Jazz replied. "If you stop Danny, Sam and Tucker from fighting ghosts and carrying this burden, all is lost. It's not enough to go on what they can teach us. With the portal connecting the worlds, there has to be someone who understands the workings of both worlds."
And for there to be someone who understands the workings of both worlds, you had to be there when the only thing that's been between both worlds was opened. I couldn't say this to Mom and Dad of course but that's what makes us unique. Even though Vlad exists between both worlds, he's never been there before. Sam and Tucker saw it. They understand more of it now that they're sharing this place that's here but it has more to do with them being there that day. To watch it happen in the present. Sam and Tucker understood things I didn't until I done the experiments. Then we learned things we didn't know by conducting the experiments. Understanding that it takes five minutes—not one second more or one second less—adds such a depth to our knowledge.
"What lesson did they learn," Mom asked, starting to prepare the IV.
"That's like asking the history of the world," I replied.
"That is asking the history of the world," Sam replied. "It's more than one lesson. It's something we just can't reproduce. You had to be there."
"Well, when and where did this take place," Dad asked.
"The day our lives began," Tucker replied. He looked to me and then to Sam. "It's too dangerous to tell you the exact day. Sorry, that tangles into another secret."
"Since you all weren't born on the same day, I'm guessing it's not your birthdays," Mom sighed.
"Correct," Tucker nodded.
Mom sighed, finishing the IV. She took Dani's hand in hers. "Okay, I'm going to poke you. It's just going to be a little prick."
Dani started laughing. "Mom! I can handle a needle. Trust me, my creator has done more to me than you could ever pray to do."
"Not that I would ever want to," Mom said, kissing her head. She gently put the needle in Dani's hand and taped it down. Mom stood up, breaking open the IV drip bag. She hung it on the bedpost and increased the drip. I watched Dani's eyes.
"More," I replied. Mom added more speed. I continued to watch her eyes. Those blue eyes would tell me when it starts working. "More," I added. Mom added more speed. It took ten minutes for any progress to be made. "That's the speed you need it at," I finally said.
"Are you sure," Mom asked.
"I'm positive," I replied. Dani's eyes were glassy, like she was starting to cry. She wasn't; it was the chemicals in her eyes. Our bodies don't change much and I know when we're under something's effects.
"Definitely," Sam replied. "She's feeling it."
"Okay," Mom sighed. She grabbed another bag and hung it along with the half of the other bag. It had taken a lot to experiment. "I'm going to let the epidural take effect and then I will induce labor."
"That's not necessary," I replied. "By the time the labor inducing drug takes effect, Dani will be doped up."
"I'll have to do the same thing with the labor inducing drug," Mom declared.
"You put that in her system and it will pick that drug dry," I added in a monotone voice.
"Does anything stay in her… ecto-stream," Dad asked. He got a little distracted at the end.
"No," I shook my head. "Anything foreign. Drugs, impurities, medications. They are all cleaned out of her bloodstream. It is a bloodstream, Dad."
"What about diseases," Mom asked. I swallowed.
"Wouldn't know," I added, much too quickly. Crap, I am so screwed!
"Well, I'd better go down and get more labor inducing drugs," Mom sighed. She left the room again.
"You know the answer to that question," Dad accused. "What do you know?"
"I've never tested diseases," I lied. "I just tested chemicals. Anything that breaks down in her bloodstream will be purified."
"Meaning she can never get sick," Dad sighed. "Man, if only we could introduce that to a human. We could create a universal healer!"
I coughed, crossing my arms. This was making me uncomfortable.
"Danny," Dani whispered, her voice fearful.
"I'm here, baby girl," I said, taking her hand and squeezing it. "I will not leave you."
"I know you won't," Dani said softly. Dani snuggled into my chest and I held her protectively. When Mom came in the room, she squeezed me tighter. The fear flooded off her in waves.
"I'm here," I repeated again.
"Are you ready," Mom asked softly.
"He won't get me," Dani whimpered.
"You know he won't," I soothed. "You're safe."
"Absolutely," Dad replied. He put his hand on Dani's shoulder. "You have nothing to worry about, pumpkin."
"We're all here with you, baby," Mom said softly, brushing her ponytail with her hand.
"He's a dead man if he comes near you," I said softly.
"Don't kill him," Dani said, pulling away to look at me. "I mean it, Danny. You're a good person. You will regret it."
"Not if he threatens my sister," I said seriously.
"Okay," Dani sighed. "Let's get this over with."
Mom reached over to the bucket she brought up earlier and retrieved an external cream from the bin full of the same stuff. It took five minutes of continual application for me to know it was taking effect. She'd go in labor soon.
3 3 3
Time ticked by so slowly. We were all getting comfortable, awaiting the long process. I climbed in bed with Dani, holding her by the side. She showed no signs of labor yet but I knew she was beginning. Holding her by the waist told me as I felt the slight vibrations ripple through her body. It wasn't strong enough for Dani to feel it yet and that made me nauseas.
"So," Mom spoke up around seven o'clock. We had stayed home today and I had called in at work. We were already home from school with it being the first day of Christmas break. Even Val had called in and her Dad had allowed her to stay at the Fentonworks as long as she wanted, so long as Mom and Dad were here. She couldn't go to headquarters without supervision—ever. Mr. Gray didn't trust Tucker. That hasn't stopped her, though. We usually go over there every day after school.
"Is there anything you want to tell us about your creation," Mom asked hesitantly.
Leave the froot loop part out, I replied, opening our minds. I felt the familiar sensation of stage one delivery underway in her mind.
I will, Dani returned. The connection broke. "Well," Dani sighed. "There's this guy. He's got this kind of obsession with Danny and he wanted to clone him. I wasn't the first. That's how third cousin got started. I was based off the DNA of the third clone at the time. He created us in batches. I thought I was his favorite. He gave me my own room and I hardly ever had to go to those chambers. He called me his daughter and I called him daddy. One day he told me he needed my help and I was the only one he could trust with this mission. I was almost a month old."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," I declared. "Are you telling me you were a month old when we first met?"
"To the day," Dani piped up. "I was born May twenty-eighth!"
"And it happened June twenty-eighth," I groaned. "I need to fix your birthday. I made it out to be that day."
Dani snickered. "No. He hadn't created any new ones in a while. I was his last one but I had never seen the last case opened. That was Blue."
"Let's not call it that," I sighed. "That thing was mindless. Blue's not."
"Is not," Mom asked and I froze. "Like in the present. Who is Blue?"
"Oh, boy," I groaned. I chuckled nervously.
"Do we have another son or daughter," Mom declared.
I shook my head no, "He's not my brother. Only Dani and I are siblings," I glanced at Jazz, "of the clones that is." I looked back to Mom. "Blue is more recent. He's the reason he kidnapped Dani. He needed to make sure Blue was stable and he needed a control to go by."
"If he has your DNA, he's our son," Dad declared.
"You can't take him away," I shook my head. "Blue is different, okay. Blue's been through hell and back. He's put this life behind him. We're not family. We only have something in common."
"Danny, how could you just leave Blue with this maniac," Mom declared. "We need to rescue him."
"He doesn't need rescuing," I objected. "He's happy where he is and if you try to take him away, he will fight back."
"Blue did leave," Sam said softly. "And he went back."
"He's just in Stockholm Syndrome," Mom replied.
I hadn't heard that word in a while. "No, he's not! Trust me, I know what he's thinking. I've been in his shoes before. I'd still be in his shoes if I hadn't met Dani."
"Does Blue even know he's a clone," Mom retorted.
"Unfortunately, yes," I sighed. "He found that out a month ago."
"How old is he," Dad asked.
"I don't really know," I replied. "He said Blue was created before he kidnapped Dani and Dani disappeared Presidents' Day. Sometime in February."
"We need to talk to him," Mom said urgently. "I want to make sure he's okay."
"No," Dad shook his head vigorously. "I want to kick that man's ass. Who is he?"
"I won't answer that," I sighed. "You won't be able to take him away. He's happy where he is and I want him to be happy. That's what matters to me."
"This man isn't Blue's father, Danny," Mom objected. I went to comment but Dad cut me off.
"Wait a minute," Dad declared. "You said you'd still be in his shoes if you hadn't met Dani. What is Blue's relationship with this man?"
I swallowed hard and I knew it was time to face facts. "They're dating," I said softly. I swallowed hard again.
"What," Mom screeched.
"The man and I—we, well, we were together. That's the obsession with me. I broke up with him and he couldn't handle it."
"Y-you're gay," Mom stuttered.
"No," I shook my head. "I loved him. I had no other attractions to anyone else. When I broke it off with him, I only have an attraction to girls." One girl. Sam and I glanced at each other. We have decided to keep our relationship a secret. Mom and Dad would never allow us to sleep in the same bed if they knew. We'd be put in different rooms again.
"How old is this man," Mom stated slowly and firmly.
I shifted uncomfortably on the bed. "Adult. Twice my age."
"That is statutory rape," Mom cried. "How did you see a man without my knowledge? What did the two of you do as a couple?"
"Mostly, I just stayed with him in our house. I even kept it hidden from Sam and Tucker. I didn't know how to tell anyone."
"How long did this go off," Dad demanded.
"Six months," I said, bowing my head. "It's a long story."
"One I want explained in detail," Mom declared. "Did you have sex with him?"
"Yes," I said, holding my head down. "We were sexually involved."
"No," Dad growled, shaking his head. "This man will not live to see tomorrow!"
"Is Blue and him having sex," Mom screeched.
"That's between the two of them," I sighed. "It's none of my business."
"I cannot believe you," Dad declared. "How could you think having sex with a man twice your age at fourteen was acceptable?"
I pulled my legs to my chest, closing my eyes. "Because it wasn't my idea to begin with," I barely whispered.
Dad was super quiet but I couldn't hear Mom's breathing. I forced myself to look at her and her eyes held absolute horror. "What," Mom mouthed, I not even able to pick up the sound. There was none.
"It wasn't my idea," I repeated again loud enough for them to hear. Dani took my hand and squeezed it. It's time I told them some of the truth. I can't have them overloaded at graduation. I can clear the air on some things.
"You were raped," Dad asked, swallowing hard.
"For two months," I nodded solemnly. I looked up to face my parents. "He regretted it. He never forgave himself. But he changed. He changed because he fell in love with me. He asked me to come back to him if he released me. A week after he stopped raping me, I went back to him willingly. A week after that, we started having sex again."
"Don't you think Blue deserves the same opportunities you do," Mom finally asked. Tears flooded her eyes and she buried her head in her hands. "How could I be so stupid? Samuels' was right. You were raped."
"There's so much you don't understand, Mom," I said softly. "It's not your fault. I have accepted my past and I have moved on. Sam and Tucker accuse me of holding on to the past. I couldn't tell you this if I was."
"That doesn't mean you just didn't forget," Tucker objected. "You have separated yourself from what happened to you. You will never heal if you keep denying you were hurt and you did nothing to receive that kind of punishment."
"It wasn't anything I done," I agreed with him. "Tucker, I have moved on. I formed a relationship with that man and I gave him my heart. It just wasn't meant to be, though. I'm meant to be with my wife and he's meant to be with Blue. I'm not going to tear that apart. I don't want to fall back in that hole!"
"What hole," Mom asked, looking to me. Her eyes were puffy and red and I felt so guilty. I have hurt her.
"It's a long story," I sighed. "We had a rough relationship. I was never really able to forgive him entirely. Dani and Blue don't remember being raped."
"So Blue is living a lie," Mom declared.
"In a way," I nodded. "But Blue is happy. He's got his family now. He never knew he was a clone until we met last month. I woke him up and now he knows what is happening."
"But is he falling in a hole," Dad asked me.
"It's not a hole when it's with the one you want," I smiled. I resisted the urge to look at Sam but I lost. Sam was glancing at me.
Dad sighed and Tucker lifted his hand to his mouth. Dude, you should hear your Dad right now! He's wishing you and Sam would just figure it out already!
I smirked at Tuck. I should have known I'd get busted looking at Sam.
"I still need to talk to Blue," Mom objected.
"And I want to know who this bastard is," Dad growled, his mood darkening. Mom sent Dad a glare and they communicated something with their eyes. Ut oh.
Uh, D, Tucker said hesitantly. Momma Bear has come out of hibernation and her first course is a bowl of Froot Loops.
"Wait," I cried. "Mom!"
Mom looked at me with kind eyes but as soon as she saw that strangled look in mine, her mood darkened. "Honestly, Danny. Did you think you could honestly spell it out for me and I not get it?"
"He spelled it out," Dad asked, puzzled.
"He met Dani the day they broke up. The day they broke up was June 28th, Danny said so. They dated for six months before they broke up. That's December. Tell me who had perfect access to Danny in December?"
"Son of a bitch," Dad roared.
"Oh, God, no," I screamed. "Will you just listen to me?"
"No," Mom shook her head vigorously. "We have given you countless times to come clean about what happened between the two of you! When you finally do tell me, you didn't intend for me to know! I've known who created Danielle since she told me she was a clone! The bastard is dead, Danny. Not only has he raped my son, he's also raped my daughter!"
"He didn't rape me," Dani objected. "He penetrated me."
"You can call it what you want to," Mom shook her head. "I'll still rip him to shreds."
"We trusted him," Dad growled. "How could you not tell us that Vlad raped you, son?"
"Damn it all," I growled. I twisted my arm, bringing out the gauntlet. In a split second, I felt my ghost half retreating from my human half. I screamed out as I saw Dani slump forward. "No," I screamed.
"Oh, my God," Mom cried. "The Ectoranium is affecting Danielle, Jack," Mom screamed. I twisted on the bed, throwing myself over Dani and trying to shield her. I felt the sensation die.
"Danielle," Dad cried, rushing over to us.
"What was the matter with Danny," Mom asked puzzled. Dani was still out cold.
Mom's hands came on my shoulder and I felt them. I was gently pulled off Dani as Mom pulled me to her. "Dani," I groaned.
"She's going to be okay," Mom said softly. "It was just Ectoranium. I completely forgot that it would hurt her."
"What was that," I demanded, breathless.
"Your father and I created a case," Mom explained softly.
"Give that back," I heard Sam scream.
"Are you insane," Tucker declared.
I still couldn't quite figure out anything yet.
"Danny," Jazz cried, rushing to me. She pushed Mom away, taking me in her arms. "Oh, my God, Danny, are you okay?"
"I-I'm fine," I mumbled. "I'm a little confused, though. What happened? Why did the Reality Gauntlet do that to me?"
"It didn't," Jazz said, her eyes going cold at the sight of our mother. "Give that back," she demanded now.
"No," Mom declared. "I'm tired of being a stupid blackboard. My mind is not there for the erasing!"
Suddenly, things became clear. "You stole the Reality Gauntlet," I declared weakly. I looked to my hand and it wasn't there. "Give it back!"
"No," Dad declared. "You were going to erase our memory about Vlad, the rape and probably Danielle too!"
"That is none of your damn business," I declared, coming to my feet. I was feeling better by the second. "The Gauntlet is my responsibility! I promised Clockwork I would not lose it! Now give it back!"
"You haven't lost it," Mom retorted. "You know exactly where it is."
"I don't give a damn," I retorted. "I'm not trusting you with that Reality Gauntlet. It's too dangerous!"
"You don't have a choice," Mom declared. "Now, why did the Ectoranium affect you?"
"I don't have a choice," I objected. "Lady, you have no idea how strong I am!"
"I am your mother," Mom retorted. "It don't matter how strong you are!"
"We will not allow you to keep the Gauntlet," Sam demanded. "Now, return it at once and spare yourself the heartache!"
"You're not going to find it," Mom declared. "We can't stop its power so the only other choice is to stop you. You can't erase our memories without the Gauntlet."
My voice dropped dangerously low. "This is not the week to mess with me. Two years ago, I was coming back from a week with Vlad. Two years ago I was dealing with a massive ghost invasion where the ghost wanted me to be his prisoner. One year ago, I erased your memories. You have no idea how strong those three things have made me."
"I'm through with it, Danny," Mom declared. "You cannot just abuse the Gauntlet like that! Just because things aren't going the way you like it doesn't mean you have the liberty to screw with people's memories! Sweetheart, I have a right to know someone hurt you! I have the right to know who did it!"
"What about Vlad's rights," I objected. "Are you just going to kill him for something even he regrets doing?"
"Vlad must pay for his crimes," Dad declared.
"He pays every day," I objected. "Trust me when I say he punishes himself. I have seen every angle of that man. I have seen him crazy. I have seen him evil. I have seen him happy. I have seen him cry. I have seen him break down until he looks nothing like the man I loved. And most importantly, I have seen him transform into the man he is today. I don't love him anymore but I'll be damned if you punish him any further. We have both been through hell, let me say that, and we don't need to go through anymore."
"What about what he put your sister through? What about what he's putting her through right now? Danielle is about to deliver twins because of that man! Don't you care at all?"
"Of course I do, Mom, and believe me I beat him within an inch of his life when I found out. I will never forgive Vlad for what he's done to Dani. But this wasn't about Dani. You changed your plans when you found out he raped me. I won't allow you to punish him anymore. And I won't allow you to destroy his and Blue's relationship. I have worked hard to get Vlad to move on. I have seen him crumble without me and I didn't think he'd ever recover. Now, I see him growing stronger again. I still have problems. They still have problems. I won't allow you to add to that."
"What do you mean they still have problems," Dad asked.
"Vlad only uses Blue to substitute for me. I know he loves Blue. I saw it the day we met. But it's kind of a 'a clone is better than nothing' scenario."
"So Vlad will hurt Blue," Mom declared. "I knew it!"
"He's recovering, Mom," I said softly. "Vlad has a hard time accepting that we're over. He keeps hoping I'll come back. I won't go back. He done the only thing I asked him not to do and I can't forgive that. I can't forgive him for breaking my heart."
"H-he broke your heart," Mom asked, her voice breaking.
"In a million pieces," I said, swallowing. This is the real issue. It's not the rape. It's not even really Lilly. If I really thought about it, and took his perceptive into consideration, I could forgive him for endangering Lilly. I can't forgive him, though, for making me believe for weeks that I wasn't his one and only. I can't forgive him for shattering my world. Everything changed that day. The incident was small but it grew and it grew, like all bad wounds do. It grew so big that a Band-Aid couldn't cover it. We fell so far that it was impossible to recover. That's the reason I could never go back. There's no way Vlad can fix everything he did to me.
"I'm so sorry, honey," Mom said, her voice breaking. I couldn't find the fire anymore. I just wanted to curl up and cry I felt so horrible. I had to remain brave, though, because Dani was still in labor. She may not be aware of it, yet, but the painful stuff is about to begin. I glanced at Dani and she was starting to come around. The Ectoranium only allowed the excess chemicals overload her body. Now that her ghost half is returning, she's back to normal.
"What did he do to you, Danny," Dad asked softly.
"It goes too deep," I sighed. "His actions over the last year and a half have cut me to the bone. Vlad can't live without me. I wasn't that in love with him."
"H-how did it begin," Mom asked. "I mean, the end?"
"It was a long breakup," I chuckled humorlessly. "From the very beginning, we got into fights. It was after the King, when he found me outside the dome, that it all began. He couldn't think straight. Thinking I may die was too much. He released me of my duties and asked me to come back. The next week, I did. One week after that, we got into it. We both overreacted so he brought me these movies and CDs like a bouquet. Then a week passed and I didn't know if I could trust him. The first big fight we had was the day you guys went on patrol with me for the first time. Vlad decided he wanted me to move in with him and he was going to tell you guys about us. I broke it off with him and swore I'd never go back. A few days later he checked on me and begged for my forgiveness. We broke up with similar results like that four different times. Finally, I had had too much and I wanted a separation. We separated for about a month through that. He showed up two nights before I met Dani and we made love as a couple for the last time. The next night I didn't have time for him so I sent him away. Then Tuesday, I met Dani in my bedroom.
"I hid her in the Ops Center but the next morning she was gone. She looked me up at lunch the next day and we had a ghost attack. Dani and I went after it and it was Vlad forcing me into an ambush. Vlad and I fought but Dani here surprised me. Vlad had tricked her into tricking me and I ended up kidnapped. Sam and Tucker saw Vlad take off with me. That's why they stole the Specter Speeder. Vlad needed some DNA samples from me to complete his work. He was going to put a clone in my place and you'd never known it wasn't me. However, as his ghost overshadowed me, he didn't know I could still hear him talking. Vlad said that I would be obsolete. He meant to the town but I thought he meant to him. I couldn't forgive that.
"So I talked Dani into seeing the truth about Vlad and we beat his ass in time to be rescued by Sam and Tucker. Dani took off that night and I didn't see her until the week school started. I asked her to stick around and stay at my headquarters. She agreed while she rested up and then the Disasteroid happened. After the world was saved, I introduced you guys to her and you accepted her into the family. She stuck around until right before I reset reality this time last year… well, almost this time last year. We spent Christmas as a family. Dani wanted to strike out on her own and she said she'd be back. That's when we decided we'd place her in everyone's minds like she was born into the family. One month and a day later, Dani called me from… from when she last left." I can't tell them she was in Hong Kong! Am I crazy? "We talked every third day until Presidents' Day. Three days after Presz Day and she didn't call me. Three missed phone calls and I knew she was in trouble. We paid Vlad a visit and even checked the island. He claimed he didn't have her. We raided his home maybe half a dozen times and all we could do is pick up a soft hint that she was there. It never turned out fruitful.
"Finally, the day I brought her home, I got a phone call. I was feeling pretty lousy that day so I was heading home from work early. Dani called me and told me she was at Vlad's. I went over there and she told me what Vlad had done. When he came home, I planned on killing him. I would have, too, if Dani didn't beg me to stop. I didn't want to hurt her anymore so I left him with a warning. He comes after her again and no matter who begged or what happened, he'd be a dead man. As time began to heal the wounds, Dani told me that she had seen me at Vlad's mansion. I thought Dani must have been mistaken but it turns out it was Blue. Blue thought he was me so he was doing what I would have done. Last month I went over there to check on Vlad and his butler didn't answer the door. I walked in and Blue caught someone breaking in his house. We found out that Vlad had lied to us again. Vlad told me he was dating a man named Roger Bloome. Blue's alias is Daniel Rogers and he goes by the nickname Blue."
"Oh, man," Mom sighed. "I can't believe you've been through so much. I still want to know what happened with Vlad, though. You switched on me." I groaned. "No. I didn't over look that, young man!" I was hoping you would, though.
"A lot happened through there. Vlad went crazy without me and he kept hurting me. He made my life a living hell when he became mayor. He stole something from a friend of ours when it was in our possession. He tried to kill all three of us. He hired a ghost to help boost his mayor ratings and nearly destroyed the town then he blamed it all on Phantom, our friend." Wow, that's weird. "You might as well throw in there that he was responsible for Undergrowth!" Sam and Tucker started snickering. "He was! If he hadn't been in such a hurry to destroy nature, Undergrowth would have never targeted Amity Park!" I sighed. "Then the last two big ones. It was Dani and the Disasteroid. That's when Val and I got together and she and Dani became friends."
"Well," Mom asked, raising her eye brow. "How was Vlad involved in the Disasteroid?"
"You're kidding," I asked. "He had everything to do with it! I thought the Disasteroid was self-explanatory!"
"What about Dani," Dad asked. I smirked. He called her Dani. "What happened when Danielle came back?"
"Dani was destabilizing. She came to Amity Park to see if there was anything I could do to slow it down or stop it. Vlad spotted her and hired Val here to catch her. Phantom ran across Dani when Val located her and she captured them both. Phantom talked Valerie into seeing the truth about Vlad and they went after me. Vlad's a human so he couldn't do anything. He left that to me and Valerie."
"I guess I see his point," Mom sighed. Mom looked to Valerie. "Did you hurt Phantom much?"
"He wasn't in the best shape," Val sighed, depressed. "I used my stinger on him so he was pretty exhausted." She actually chuckled softly. "I found it annoying when he first done it but when I showed him the stinger, he told me that I didn't really want to do that. I retorted that he didn't really want me to do that." We both laughed. "I'll never forget his response."
"Well, yeah," we both added. Valerie finally laughed as I copied my reaction that day. Sam, Tucker and Jazz snickered.
I looked down to Dani. "Are you okay?"
"I-I'm fine," Dani shuddered. I put my hand on her stomach and she was racking with contractions. They weren't the powerful ones and they wouldn't even be identified as a contraction by a doctor but I could feel them.
"You're close," I said softly.
"I can feel it," Dani sighed.
"You're not alone," Val said, taking her hand. Dani squeezed it.
"Absolutely not," Mom smiled. "We're all here for you, Danielle."
Dani nodded. "I know. I am so lucky."
The room quieted down and we all feel in a silence as Dani's breathing became labored. I settled down beside of Dani and helped keep her comfortable.
3 3 3
It was late that night, just after eleven, when Dani started her second stage labor. I had her hand in mine and was helping her sit up with the other hand. She hadn't started pushing yet but the contraction was powerful. Dani screamed as the motion went through her. Valerie had her other hand while Mom checked on her cervix one more time.
"Seven centimeters. We will see a baby before midnight!"
"Danny," Dani screamed, tears in her eyes.
"I'm here, baby girl," I said softly, tears in my own eyes. How I wished it could have been me on this bed, taking this pain from her. She was just a little girl. How could Vlad do this to someone he loved?
The contraction ceased and Dani fell back, exhausted. My heart ached because there was nothing I could do. The epidural wasn't really providing any relief and this was nothing like my deliveries. Dani was delivering them as a girl would. I didn't have to worry about tears or positioning. My slot wasn't anything like the female vagina.
"I want to kill Vlad now," Dani screamed, her voice more aggravated than agonized now. The contraction was over.
"It's still an option," I kidded.
"M-mom," Dani asked, hesitantly. "I have the urge to push."
"It's time," Mom said softly. Dani started taking deep breaths and when she squeezed my hand, I felt my hand being crushed. I looked up wildly.
"Danny," Dani asked fearfully.
"Oh, no," I said, my eyes wondering.
Daniel, I heard Vlad's voice in my head.
What the hell are you doing here, I demanded. How did you get past my army?
Blue's with me. I want to see her but I'll honor her wishes above my wants. But Blue… he needs to see her, Daniel.
"Dani," I spoke softly.
"What," Dani huffed.
"Vlad and Blue are here," I said softly. Dani looked at me wildly. "Vlad says he will stay away if you want him to but Blue wants to see you."
"I want to see him too," Dani nodded, her eyes filling with tears. "Can you get a few of the soldiers here. I don't trust Vlad."
"Of course," I nodded. I removed my hand from her back, tapping my ear to bring forth the communicator. I switched on the green Fentonfone on the black communicator. "Bring ten level tens and escort Vlad and Blue in."
"Yes, sir," the voice replied over the phone.
A moment later, Vlad and Blue walked in the room. Mom and Dad sent murderous glares at Vlad while Blue dashed to Dani's side. Valerie stepped out of the way as he took her other hand. I positioned my hand back to her back. Blue was dressed just like me and now I know how they got by my army.
"How are you doing, baby girl," Blue asked her just as I have all this time.
"I've been better," Dani muttered miserably. "They know about you, Vlad and the rape."
"They do," Blue asked, looking to my parents. "Well, none of that matters. What matters is you right now." Strangely, he looked to Vlad. "You can stop it."
I had my attention focused on Dani as Mom hesitantly said: "You're right. We will discuss this once this is over." I glanced up at her briefly and Mom was glaring at Vlad, "And we will discuss this."
Vlad took a step towards Dani and the soldiers grunted suggestively. "I am so sorry, Danielle. I love you, you know that, right?"
"Yeah, right," Dani spat. "The only reason I want you here is because at least when I see you, I know what you're up to. Plus, I have a surprise for you."
"I do love you, Danielle. I never meant to hurt you."
"Don't talk to her," Dad said, his voice harsh. "You are not her father! Don't pretend to be!"
"I am her father," Vlad said, turning to Dad. "I haven't always acted like it, but I am her father. That girl is the third best thing that ever happened to me. I never meant to hurt her."
Dani gripped our hands and screamed as another contraction ripped through her. Her voice screeched and it almost sounded like nails on a chalkboard. Both Blue and I moved in sync, wiping the hair away from her face and speaking softly, "I'm here!"
Mom checked her cervix again and when she came back up, her face was pale. "We have black hair. The crown is breaking through."
Dani screamed again, her voice wailing in pain as she continued to push. Blue and I held onto her hands tightly, showing her that we were here and she can do this. I looked down to see a black head of hair covered in one big mess. Yuck! Dani screamed again but this time, a word came through her scream. "Daddy," Dani screamed.
Vlad moved forward, "I'm here."
Dad pushed Vlad back. "She's not calling for you!" Dad moved behind me, taking Dani in his arms.
Dani leaned in his chest. "Make the hurt go away, Daddy!"
"It'll be over soon, I promise," Dad whispered. He sat behind her, helping her sit up. Dani screamed as Dad kissed the back of her head. Dani screamed out again, tears flooding from her eyes. I looked down again to see two massive shoulders sliding out. Mom was helping him ease out of the birth canal. Finally the first boy was born at eleven-fifteen p.m. on December twentieth, two-thousand and six.
Mom wrapped him up in the towel, rubbing his chest vigorously. Finally, a hiccupping cry filled the room. Blue and I put our focus on Dani again, knowing one of the twins were okay.
"Let me have him," Sam's voice replied. I didn't look.
"My Daniel Junior," Vlad's voice declared in delight.
"No," Dani breathed hard, calming down during the intermittence. "The first one is Jack Randall Fenton," Dani replied. "Named after my daddy."
Dad's voice got choked up but it wasn't like the first time he'd heard this. Dani's already told us the names she picked. I just don't know where Jamie came from. I don't know what significance Jamie has.
"You and I are going to have a long talk later," Blue scolded. "Rocker, center, stay!"
"Good luck with that," I groaned. "If the rocker was still around, you and Dani wouldn't exist."
For some reason, this got my parents chuckling slightly as they prepared for Baby B.
Six minutes after his brother, Jamie was born. His birth wasn't as stressful as Jacky's. When the cries shrieked through the air, Dani gasped for breath. "And James Daniel Fenton. Named after my two favorite people in a way Vlad will never get what he wants."
James—Jamie. I get it now. I never imagined her turning the names around. "I'm honored, Dani," I smiled softly.
"So am I," Blue smiled softly.
"You wanted these boys so badly," Dani spat, glaring at Vlad. "Now here they are. Somewhere you can never get them and you will never get your way. The first one is named after the man you blamed all this on and the one that is named Daniel has it for his middle name. Happy father's day, Dad." Dani snuggled into Dad's chest, breathing hard. I finally looked at Vlad and he just had this shelled expression on his face.
Blue kissed Dani's head gently. He walked over to Vlad. "This is the last ones. You are to never impregnate anyone else ever again. If you do, I will take Dawn and we will go. Is that clear?"
"I promised you, Blue," Vlad said, holding the back of his hand out to Blue. A golden band with a sapphire blue diamond sat in the middle. "With this ring, I do swear."
"And with this ring," Blue replied, holding up his own hand, "I do swear."
"Oh, my God, you married him," I declared.
"No," Blue rolled his eyes. "One, I'm not real. Two, it's illegal in Illinois. Three, it's a promise ring, not a wedding ring. We promised each other that we'd be faithful, we'd be honest and true and we wouldn't clone or impregnate again."
"He'd better pinky promised on that last one," Sam grumbled.
Vlad glared at Sam. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm supporting my sister and my nephews," Sam seethed. "I belong here unlike you!"
"If it wasn't for me, the boys wouldn't be here. You're the one who doesn't belong, bitch!"
"Hey," Mom declared. "You do not threaten her, you son of a bitch!"
"I'll kill her if it's the last thing I do. You should have taken the offer, sweetheart!"
"You don't scare me," Sam seethed. "I've told you again and again. I'm not backing down. This is my family now."
"It won't be for long," Vlad growled.
"Cool it," I declared.
"Vlad," Blue hissed. "I've warned you for the last time. If you keep threatening Sam, I will kick your ass!"
"I'm not trying to get him back, Blue," Vlad groaned.
"Huh," Sam huffed.
"You are in a bad position to be pissing me off," Vlad growled.
"You are in a bad position," I declared, stepping in front of Vlad. "I found out what you did last month. You come near Sam again or trick my sentries and I will sink you where the sun don't shine!"
"I gave her a generous offer," Vlad growled. "She denied it. She still has no place in this family."
I saw Sam's eyes flash and I swore they took on a tangelo color. "Sam," I warned. "I can't erase memories here."
"Fine, I'll keep it to myself," Sam retorted. I could still hear her in my head: Those children are my children, you son of a bitch!
"Vlad," Mom's voice harshly cut through the air. "You are in no position to be giving any demands! You raped my son, was involved in a romantic relationship with him, cloned him, broke his heart, kidnapped my daughter, impregnated her and raped her, too. You'll be lucky to make it out of here alive."
"Not to mention you are still involved with one of my sons," Dad added in a growl.
Blue's eyes widened. "I'm not your son!" He turned to Vlad. "He is talking about me, right?"
"You're the only one I'm involved with, Blue. Of course he's talking about you," Vlad rolled his eyes.
"You are my son," Dad added. "You are still created from the genetics Maddie and I gave Danny. I don't like that you are involved with this man. You are only sixteen!"
"Please," Blue scoffed. "This is why I was made; to be with Vlad. I'm not giving him up for anything. I'm not really your son. I don't need you to be my parents again… for the first time." He sighed.
"I haven't talked to you in a while," I said softly. "How have things been going?"
"Good… at least, that's what I thought. What offer did he make, Sam?"
"He wanted to make me wealthy in return for me leaving Amity Park. He even offered me a multi-billion dollar company. I told him to go fuck himself."
I thought Mom was going to choke. "Excuse me, young lady?"
"Sorry," Sam said bashfully. "Vlad brings out the worst in me."
Blue crossed his arms across his chest. "You are to leave them alone! Danny doesn't want anything to do with you anymore! Can't you just be grateful for what you have?"
Vlad reached out and stroke Blue's cheek gently. "I am grateful for what I have, Blue. It wasn't about Daniel and you know it." Sam snorted. "Woman, you are getting on my nerves." Before anyone had a chance to retort, Blue wacked him on the head. "Sorry," Vlad said bashfully.
"One more outburst from you to anyone here and you will be in the doghouse tonight, am I clear?"
My eyes widened. Is he seriously threatening to withhold himself from Vlad? "Okay," I added in a gruff voice. "Too much information."
"I second that," Tucker replied, looking quite green for an African American. I laughed.
"You okay, Tuck," I asked.
"The images I'm getting will haunt me for the rest of my life," Tucker added drolly.
"Sorry, Tuck," Blue smirked.
"Dude, I think you have went bonkers. I'd rather screw a soap box," Tucker shook his head.
"Why," Blue smirked. "That soap box doesn't have anything on Vlad."
"Daniel," Mom barked. I looked to her in shock. "Not you, Red." Mom looked thoughtful. "Why do they call you Blue, honey?"
"I usually wear Blue," he said but he was looking at me with a look of enlightenment. "I don't suppose you'd like to have a nickname, too, would you?" Then it hit me.
"Red," I said, my eyes lighting. "You go by Blue—."
"You can go by Red," he finished for me, a smile lighting up his eyes. "What do you say?"
"For you and for separation from you," I added, "I won't go by Red all the time. Only to distinct between you and I."
"I could live with that," Blue nodded. He looked up to Vlad, "What about you, babe?"
"Sure," Vlad shrugged. "I see no problem with that. So long as he doesn't change his color preferences any time soon."
"I like blue but not as much as he does," I added with a smile. "He can have that corner of the color wheel."
"And I think it's safe we'll avoid black," Blue laughed.
"I don't know," I smirked. "I might spent part of my time dressed in black." Blue and I started laughing.
"Oh, God, that was good," Blue laughed, wiping an imaginary tear.
"So," I laughed. "I'm Red," I said, handing my hand out.
"And I'm Blue," he smirked, taking my hand.
"Nice to meet you, Blue," I smiled.
"What you said, Red," he returned with a big smile. We started cracking up again.
"Oh, God, don't get him acting more like you," Vlad groaned. "It's taken me forever to reprogram the crudeness out of his DNA!"
"Sweetheart," Blue added in a firm voice, "shut up!"
3 3 3
Shortly after midnight, Dani finished her third stage of labor and delivered the placenta. Blue and I were once again at her beck and call, paying much more attention to her than the boys. Dani was exhausted when everything was done so we left her to recuperate in the delivery room while Mom and Dad took the boys to their nursery. Dani finally fell asleep but that didn't mean I didn't keep an ear trained on her. We each had a mug of coffee and sitting at the table. Tucker, Valerie and Jazz sat on the opposite side of the table where Mom and Dad would sit. Sam, I, Vlad and Blue sat on this side of the table, ready to face their accusations. Vlad had taken the seat next to me but Sam and I were pushed up next to each other.
Mom and Dad finally entered the kitchen and retrieved themselves a cup of coffee. Mom and Dad sat down and immediately sent daggers in Vlad's direction. Vlad took a breath. "I'm glad he told you. I want to pay for my crimes."
"You already have," I groaned. "How many times do I have to say this? I have forgiven you for the rape!"
"Until you believe it yourself," Tucker objected. "This man deserves whatever he gets for what he put you through! There isn't a punishment big enough!"
"I agree with you," Vlad said softly, looking to my parents. "I will answer any questions that you have and I will be honest with you. I just want you to know if I could take it back, I would."
I diverted my eyes. That's like he's saying he'd take back Lilly. I can hate all the hell he put me through but I can't bring myself to regret it. I have two of the most wonderful daughters because of our relationship and lord knows it has brought us closer together. Even Dani and Blue are the result of the rape. I can't regret it.
"Why," Dad asked, his voice breaking. "Why would you hurt my son that way?"
"It's something I've always done, Jack. I had the money and I had the resources. Daniel wasn't my first but he was my last… excluding Danielle. Daniel changed me, Jack. He made me realize that I still had humanity in me. He made me realize I could be better."
"I don't care about anyone else," Dad said, shaking his head. "I want to know why you hurt my son. What were you thinking when you called us that day?"
"Daniel renounced me," Vlad replied. "I wanted him to be my son and I wanted him to renounce you. He refused so I had to give him the motivation. It was a tool I'd used often. Daniel was stronger, though. Lord knows I put the kid through hell and he should have given up but he never did. I found his strength attractive. I started out wanting Maddie but then I realized her son was much more to my liking."
"Then why do you have a Mom hologram," I retorted.
"For the love of God, Daniel, not you, too," Vlad objected.
"Don't tell me you don't ogle her," Blue retorted. "She's more than a servant to you!"
"She does my chores in the lab," Vlad retorted. "She is not there for any sexual fantasy. Do you think she would be in that Hazmat suit if I wanted her for her looks?"
"She calls you pet names," Blue retorted. "She hates me!"
"It was a glitch," Vlad cried, shooting a look to Blue. His hands spread out for dramatization, "How many times do I have to tell you this?"
"Okay," Tucker chuckled. "Now I've seen a jealous Danny."
"I told you I wasn't jealous of Mom and Vlad," I retorted.
Blue and Vlad continued their fight. "Don't get me started on the cat!"
"Blue, this is not the place," Vlad said, covering his face. "This is worse when you brought it up in my board meeting."
"That cat attacks Dawn again and it will be wearing that fur inside out," Blue barked.
"I put her outside when she did that," Vlad groaned. "What else am I supposed to do?"
"I don't know. Use the PM on her," Blue retorted. PM? "She comes and goes as she pleases and I'm about to send her to the moon."
"I can send her to the island with Daniel and Danny if you want but she's just going to attack them!"
"I don't care what you do with the beast," Blue retorted. "Just keep her away from my baby!"
"Can I go back to talking with Maddie and Jack or are you going to bring up something else," Vlad mocked.
"Fine, go back to Maddie and Jack! See if I care," Blue retorted, turning his back to Vlad.
"Ugh," Vlad groaned. "I'm sorry. Ever since he found out he was a clone, he's had an inferiority complex."
"An inferiority complex," Blue declared. "What am I inferior to in your opinion?"
"Right now, to the grime on this coffee cup," Vlad retorted. "Will you just be quiet?"
"Don't silence him," Mom retorted. "Blue has a right to feel mistreated by you. You do not own him!"
"Of course not," Vlad retorted. "He's too busy owning me!"
"This is better than soap operas," Sam snickered to me.
"I've never fought with Vlad like that," I retorted to her. "Vlad must have really gotten under Blue's skin."
"You have no idea what that hologram does to me," Blue retorted in my direction.
"To you," I retorted. "She tortured me and I don't think she regretted it."
"When I come into the lab, she announces that Vlad's 'whore' is there," Blue added, locking eyes with me. "That stupid cat scratched Dawn. I nearly sent it to the next county."
"Very nearly," Vlad grumbled.
"You'd better be glad I didn't cook her," Blue retorted. "She hurts my baby again and I won't hold back on her."
"She was just playing with Dawn," Vlad defended.
"You consider hissing and scratching at a month old playing," Blue retorted. "I don't care what the beast thinks it's doing. No one messes with my baby."
"Who is Dawn," Mom asked.
"She's our daughter," Blue replied. "She's a month old."
"Y-you have a daughter," Dad asked, his eyes wide.
"Yes," Blue replied, nodding. "Didn't you read in the papers that Vlad had an heir? We had her by a gestational carrier."
"Really," Mom replied. "I hadn't read that."
"Yeah," Blue smiled. "I can introduce you if you'd like. She's with Lilly and… and I can go get her if you'd like."
Thanks, Tuck.
No sweat.
"I'd love to meet my granddaughter. My goodness, Jack, we're getting old. Four grandkids."
"I don't get it," Dad said, glancing at Vlad. "You can't have children."
"She's not really mine," Vlad replied. "My private doctors done the procedure and they used Blue's sperm."
"I'll be right back," Blue added softly as Vlad was talking.
"I gave him an alias. He goes by the name of Daniel Rogers in the public and he's twenty-four. Everyone in my company knows he's my partner."
"Like…" Mom trailed off.
"They know I'm gay," Vlad nodded. "I said I met him on a flight from Saint Louis to Los Angeles. They think the Rogers Family is from California."
"How active is his alias," Mom asked.
"Not that active," Vlad replied. "He can't draw too much attention to himself and he never does any business in Amity Park. He spends a lot of time in Saint Louis."
"How has Blue been adopting to the idea of being a father," Mom asked.
"He's not a father," Vlad replied. "He's Dawn's mother. He loves it, though. He was so excited to have a child. We wanted to have children while I'm still young. By the time Blue is old enough to be having children, I'll be in my mid-fifties. We agreed to have a child right away."
Mom looked to me. "Was that your plan?"
"Vlad and I never discussed future plans," I replied. "Vlad asked me to marry him one time and I told him no. He wanted me to do the whole pre-ump; the white dress, the veil. That's one of the most aggravating things about Vlad. He views me as a girl."
"You are a girl," Vlad retorted. "You'll always be my girl."
"One, I'm not yours. Two, I'm a guy," I retorted.
"Vlad," Mom said softly. "Danny is a guy. So is Blue. When you are gay, you still date men. Dating a man does not make you a girl."
"I know that," Vlad retorted. "It's just something between us. He's my girl. No matter what the bitch says."
Sam growled and I put my hand on top of her's as she slammed it down on the table. Her mug of coffee overturned, its contents spilling on the table.
"It's okay," I said softly. "We'll let Blue handle him. He does a great job."
"Vlad," Mom growled. "This is your last warning. If you insult Sam or threaten her one more time, I will be arresting you!"
"For what," Vlad retorted.
"Statutory rape," Dad declared. "Who at the Division isn't going to believe Blue isn't Danny?"
"Fine," Vlad grumbled. "I'll leave Samantha alone."
"It's Sam," Sam seethed.
"I have to make you uncomfortable somehow," Vlad retorted under his breath.
"Vlad," Blue's voice cut through the room. We looked to the door to see him walking in the room with Dawn in his arms. "Do you want to sleep on the couch?"
"No," Vlad groaned.
"Then shut up," he retorted. Blue walked over to Mom's side of the table and gently eased Dawn in her open arms. "This is Megan Dawn Masters. She was born November 6, 2006."
"Aw," Mom cried, melting in the presence of the infant. "She is so beautiful. She definitely looks like you," Mom cooed. Dawn was sleeping so Mom and Dad wouldn't see her eyes. Megan's eyes are unmistakably Vlad's.
"She is so precious," Dad cooed. "Hello," he said but Dawn continued to sleep. Dad looked to Blue. "You said her first name was Megan?"
"Yes," Blue smiled down at his daughter. "I liked the name Dawn, though. So Vlad and I decided to name her Megan Dawn."
"How is her carrier," Mom asked.
"Oh, just fine," Blue smirked. "Couldn't be happier. The payment she received was more than she ever thought she deserved."
How can he so openly talk about himself like a girl? It wouldn't surprise me if Vlad switched his gender identity!
"Did the agreement close cleanly," Mom asked.
"It's just Vlad, Dawn and I," Blue avoided the question.
"I'm glad. I hope she doesn't change her mind. Those arrangements are tricky."
"She's perfectly content," Blue smiled, getting lost in Dawn's presence.
Vlad walked up behind him, putting his hands on his shoulders. Blue looked up at him and broke out in a huge smile. "I love you," Vlad whispered. "I know you think I still love Daniel but I love you. You're the one I want."
"I know I'm just a substitute but I'm okay with it. As long as you don't continue to push him. Red has moved on, Vlad. Do the same for yourself; for our family."
Vlad turned him around, gently touching his face. Blue closed his eyes as the touch registered. I subtly took Sam's hand, the gesture barely registering but it did register. Vlad's lips caressed Blue's and for a moment I remembered doing the same thing. Sam squeezed my hand and I was back with her in a flash. That was until Dad ripped Blue away from Vlad.
"You're still forty-one years old and he's still sixteen," Dad declared. "I don't care; not in front of me!"
"Mr. Fenton," Blue objected. "This is none of your business. Vlad and I are a couple. I know what I am doing and I will continue to be with him, no matter what anyone has to say."
"I am not going to force you to call me Dad but I am your father. Someone has to be in charge of you until you are eighteen. The age of consent in this state is seventeen. Until June, you are not allowed to date him!"
"But I'm not sixteen," Blue objected.
"Would you rather it be in sixteen years," Mom declared.
"Oh, for crying out loud," Blue objected. "I am mature enough to know what I am doing. I get that I am a clone of your son but we are not related. You are not my parents. I've already ran away from home in my mind."
"What," Mom seethed, looking at Vlad.
"What else could I have done," Vlad objected. "I didn't intend for Blue to know he was a clone. If he never went home, he'd want to know why. I made the memory of him fighting with you guys and he was on the run. That's the real reason he never did any business in Amity Park. He thought someone would spot him and he'd be recognized."
"Are you mad at us," Mom asked, her eyes filling with tears. "I know Danny's ran away from home a few times."
"Didn't run," I objected. "I walked out each time."
"Red," Blue called out. "I'm surprised."
"Yeah, well, we had some issues. We stayed at headquarters while we tried to sort through our differences."
Blue released a breath. "I didn't fight with you guys. In my memories, I just didn't feel like Fentonworks was my home anymore. It wasn't satisfying. I went to Vlad and told him I wanted to move in. I left everything where it was and started my life over with Vlad. I got the alias, I never went out around town and I never looked back." He sighed, "You could say that it felt like Danny Fenton died and Daniel Rogers was born. In all honesty, it was just Blue that was born."
He didn't sigh because he was reminded he was a clone. To him, he lost Lilly that day. I don't know when 'I' supposedly ran away from home but I'd say it was when I asked for that separation. That was the only time I really came close to losing Lilly. It was the only real complication I had through my pregnancy. Instead of Lilly recovering, I'd say Vlad inserted me losing her. He knew exactly what nerve to hit. If I had lost Lilly after the event with Aaragon, I would have walked away. I'm just surprised that Blue hasn't become evil or something. It's just like when I lost my family in that other timeline. I guess just losing Lilly made me not care anymore. I felt something similar in my dream before I died from ecto-acne but I felt the exact same way after Vlad kidnapped Lilly.
AN: Okay, people, it's been a long time coming. Maddie and Jack now know Vlad raped Danny. Shoo! This time, it's sticking. Forever-Stained-Crimson, if you're still reading, this one is for you! You asked me a long time ago when Vlad was going to get caught. Would you consider this caught? I would. Danny never told him Vlad's name. This was all Maddie.
Thanks for reading and I'll see you next week! Drop me a line if you'd like.
(Four)