Let me just start by saying that I am sorry for not writing for a little over a week now. I was on vacation in the Dominican Republic, and as beautiful and luxurious as it was, I am definitely glad to be back in a country where I can actually understand everyone that I am talking to, although I will miss the free food and tropical drinks sixteen hours a day. Anyway, I'm back, so here is another chapter for you. Enjoy.

Another Bit of Big News

Sam POV-

I took a sip of my sangria as Danny and I waited at the bar. We were early for a change, early to our reservation and remarkably, earlier than Tucker and Valerie who would be joining us for dinner. Lizzie and Grayson were staying at his parent's house for the night, giving us plenty of time for relaxation with our friends.

I love my children to pieces, but sometimes it is nice to have 'adult-time' without them.

Sometimes my dad asks if the kids can stay with him, but I'm still a little hesitant. He kept his promise, at least to a point, he has been there for the birthdays, soccer games, and ballet recitals, but he really hasn't been there for all of the in-between moments in their lives. Plus, he lives much farther away, on the outskirts of a city that border's Amity Park instead of the five minute drive from our house to Fenton Works.

And, it's not that I don't trust my children's control of their powers but…sometimes, being around Danny and I and around his side of the family and around Tucker and Valerie who are, of course, fully aware of what they can do, and encourage them to use their powers…they might get just a little careless if they spent more than three hours around my dad.

Sometimes they even get a little careless around Missy. Thankfully, they always realize their mistakes before she takes any real notice of it, and thankfully, she hasn't suspected a thing (she's as clueless as her mom and the rest of this city). Lord knows what would happen if she found out, with her life already in such an…unstable condition, finding out that the person she thought was her father is not, and that he is actually the father of her best friends who have been lying to her their entire friendship, well, let's just say, I don't think she would take it very well.

It was a little passed 6:30 and with us supposed to meet them here at six, I was beginning to wonder what was taking Tucker and Valerie so long. But I wasn't going to worry about it. Yet.

Instead I focused on amusing myself by watching the already-wasted-off-his-ass man next to us, the one who had already hit on me, not one, but three times, despite Danny's somewhat…jealous tendencies.

"Hey guys," I heard a voice behind us, "Sorry we're late," Valerie smiled sitting at the bar next to us.

"It's okay," Danny and I answered in unison, although we were both clearly curious about their tardiness. I studied Valerie. She smiled widely at us and there was something familiar about the look on her face. I held back a grin of my own.

"We have your table ready for you, sir," the young hostess said to Danny as she led us to a table in the back next to a window.

"So why are you so late anyway?" Danny asked, picking up his menu and looking over the appetizers, I don't even know why he bothers looking anymore, we come here every month and we always order the same thing.

"Can I take your drink order?" a waiter, probably no older than eighteen asked.

Danny and Tucker ordered a beer, I passed on the drink, given my still ¾ full glass of sangria, and Valerie, who always, always, ordered a Cuba Libre, but this time only ordered the Coke…no rum. And, if I wasn't suspicious before, I most definitely was now.

"Can I start you off with any appetizers tonight?" the waiter asked.

Danny was about ready to order the seafood platter, the seafood platter we always order, but, Valerie stopped him.

"Can we get the stuffed mushrooms instead?" she asked.

Danny shrugged, thinking nothing of it, and ordered the mushrooms, but I knew better. No alcohol, no seafood, and a distinct glow…

Valerie and Tucker shared a knowing smile, before turning back to us.

"Do you have something you want to tell us?" I asked them with a smirk. Valerie seemed a little taken aback that I had guessed it, or, at least guessed that they wanted to tell us something.

Danny, as usual, was oblivious.

"Huh?" he asked, looking at Tucker for clarification.

"Is it that obvious?" Valerie asked me, ignoring Danny's confusion and smiling at me.

"Well it wouldn't have been if you hadn't changed the usual dinner order," I grinned back at her.

"Will someone please tell me what you are talking about?" Danny huffed in frustration causing Valerie and I to chuckle at his annoyance.

"So when did you find out?" I went on, continuing to ignore my irritated husband; it was just too much fun keeping him in the dark.

"Earlier today, we had our first appointment," Valerie replied.

"Do your parents know?" I wondered.

"Tucker's parents know, but were waiting until tomorrow to tell my dad," she told me.

"Okay, seriously! What are you talking about? Know about what?" Danny exclaimed. I rolled my eyes, all these years and he's still just as dense.

"Dude," Tucker grinned at his best friend, "Valerie's pregnant."

A look of realization crossed over Danny's face followed by a smile.

"Congratulations man," he high-fived Tucker, "It's going to be nice not to be the only ones with kids anymore."

"Yeah," Tucker beamed, I was pleased to see him so excited, "We're definitely going to need your guy's help."

"And when your kid's like five, our kids can babysit," Danny remarked.

"A win-win situation for both of us," Tucker grinned and they high-fived again. Valerie and I simply looked at each other sharing an eye roll.

Twenty three, and fathers (or soon to be fathers) and still mentally children themselves.