Chapter 30- The Reception
Everyone gathered in the ballroom at Wyndemere for the reception. Table 1 sat Drew, Sam, Willow, Danny, Scout, Monica, Alexis, and Julian in his wheelchair. At Table 2 was Lucas, Kristina, Leo, Chase, Molly, TJ, and Lexie. Table 3 consisted of Jason, Elizabeth, Cameron, Jake, Aiden, and Violet. Table 4—Nikolas, Ava, Spencer, Avery, and Nikky. Table 5—Ned, Brooklyn, Michael, Jonah, Jax, and Josslyn. Table 6- Spinelli, Georgie, Curtis, Stella, Trina.
"We won't be staying long," Alexis said. "Patrick didn't think he should come to the reception at all."
"I'm fine," Julian insisted, even though his eyes looked heavy and his hand trembled when he lifted his water glass.
"In fact, I think you should go back to bed now," Alexis said.
"I'm with Mom," Sam said. "I'm just thankful you were at the ceremony. But I don't want you to risk your heath."
Julian's eyes began to droop, and his head hung forward.
Alexis sighed. "I'll take him upstairs, then I'll come back."
"Do you need some help getting him up the stairs?" Drew asked.
"No, no. You stay here. This is your wedding day," Alexis said. "Patrick and Felix are still here. They can help me."
Alexis wheeled Julian out of the ballroom.
"Well Scout," Monica said, leaning closer to her. "You looked so pretty walking up that aisle. All of you looked great."
Scout blushed a little.
"We're so glad that you were there," Drew said.
Alexis didn't arrive back until close to the end of their meal. She only ate part of her chicken and picked at her veggies.
"Well, shall we start dancing?" Drew suggested and rose to his feet.
Sam wiped her mouth with her napkin. "Okay, sure—"
"Willow?" Drew extended his hand to her.
Sam grinned.
"Oh, sure." Willow smiled and joined Drew on the dance floor.
Monica turned to Danny. "May I have this dance?"
"Sure," Danny said.
"Well, Scout," Sam said. "Want to dance with Mommy?"
"Okay," Scout followed Sam to the dance floor.
Danny placed his hand on Monica's waist and held her hand with his opposite hand. He looked at his feet and stepped forward onto Monica's feet. "Uh, sorry…"
Monica smiled. "Try not to look down."
Danny looked up at her, then over at Sam and Scout with linked hands, moving their arms back and forth. Cam was dancing with Josslyn, and Willow laughed at a joke Drew just told her. Chase spun Kristina around, and Lexie danced on TJ's feet.
"Are you enjoying your new home?" Monica asked.
Danny shrugged. "Yes and no. It's tiny."
Monica nodded. "Oh, yes. Much much smaller than the Quartermaine mansion, and that's an understatement. But bigger than our jail cell, so I can't complain."
"Yeah. And I get bored easily."
When the song ended, Alexis tapped Monica's shoulder. "May I cut in?"
"Of course," Monica said and headed back to their table with Scout.
Danny started dancing with Alexis.
"That was a beautiful ceremony," Alexis said.
Danny nodded. "Yeah. Grandma, is Grandpa okay?"
"Patrick says he will be. But it's normal for people who wake up from comas to slip in and out of sleep. They don't usually stay awake for long periods of time right away."
"Well that's good."
Danny glanced around. Lucas was sitting with Jonah, while Drew and Sam were dancing. And Aiden was sitting quietly with Violet as he watched Jason and Elizabeth dance.
Alexis smiled. "So, your mom says you and Scout will be sleeping here tonight."
"Yeah," Danny said. "I guess Willow is sleeping over at Jax's."
Alexis nodded. "She finds Wyndemere depressing. But it'll be good for her to spend time with him and Josslyn. In the meantime, I'm excited to spend some time with you and Scout."
Danny smiled. "I remember living with you and Grandpa. Grandpa helped me with my swimming."
"He was so good to you both back then."
When the song ended, Danny headed over to Jason and Elizabeth's table.
"Where's Cam and Jake?" Danny asked.
"They were getting a little bored," Jason said. "They went with Josslyn and Trina to walk around the grounds."
"Okay, thanks. I'll go find them."
Danny passed the table and his parents dancing close together. Drew kissed the top of Sam's head. He headed out to the hallway. When he turned a corner, he stopped when he saw Cameron and Josslyn talking.
"You see… Joss…" Cam swallowed hard. "I've wanted to tell you this for a long time. But it seemed like something would always stop me. I want to be more than just friends. I love you."
Josslyn's mouth dropped slightly and she looked up at him.
"I've tried to get over you. And I was happy for you and Oscar. He was my friend and I miss him. But a part of me was jealous. I knew he was good to you though and you were happy with him. So, I was at peace with it. But—"
"I love you too," Josslyn said. "I've had feelings for you for a long time. When we were kids, I had a big crush on you. But as we got older, I didn't want to ruin our friendship. I was afraid you didn't feel the same way."
Cam stroked her hair. "I had no idea. I mean when we were kids… we were just kids, trying to play the dating game with Spencer and Emma."
Joss laughed. "I remember."
"So, you want to give this… us… a go?"
Josslyn grinned, then wrapped her arms around him and kissed him.
Danny backed away. Awkward… Maybe he'd find Jake and Trina. He headed the opposite direction but stopped again.
"Are you doing okay?" Michael asked. "I really miss you."
Willow tucked her hair behind her ear. "I'm okay."
"Are you sure? You don't seem okay."
She sighed. "How's Jonah?"
He frowned. "You're changing the subject, that isn't a good sign. Jonah's doing a lot better than when we were with Nelle. He's been bonding with Lucas too."
"That's good."
"What I said before, I'd still love for you to be in his life. He deserves to know you, and you deserve to know him. I think it would be good for both of you." He smiled a little and rubbed her upper arm.
Danny's nostrils flared and he darted over to Michael shoving him. "Don't touch her!" He pushed him again, then stood in front of Willow with his arms crossed. But swallowed hard, realizing he was much shorter and skinnier than his cousin.
Michael's eyes grew wide.
"What are you doing?" Willow asked.
"Danny?" Michael raised an eyebrow. "I wasn't trying to hurt her or anything…"
"She's going through enough right now without you pressuring and touching her like that!" Danny shouted. "Just stay away from her!"
"Danny, stop it!" Willow said through gritted teeth.
"I wasn't trying to pressure her or touch her in the wrong way." Michael looked over at Willow and frowned. "I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable. It wasn't my intention. I sincerely hope things get better for you. I would love to help you in any way that I can, but only if that's something you'd like. But I won't approach you again. I'm really sorry." He walked away.
Danny turned to Willow. "Are you okay?"
"What is wrong with you!? He wasn't pressuring me. And he didn't touch me inappropriately. For your information, Michael and I were friends before we ever started dating. That's all he was doing, was being a friend!"
"But—"
"You should take a page from his book and start showing compassion for other people! You may have just lost me one of my best friends!"
Danny's heart sank. "I'm sorry, I was just—"
"Look, just stay away from me and I'll stay away from you. I know that's what you want."
Danny's mouth dropped open. "Willow, no."
Willow turned and headed back to the ballroom.
"Willow, wait!" Danny followed her. "I didn't mean—"
She headed over to Jax. "Hey, do you think we can head out now? I'm kind of tired."
"Yeah, of course." Jax looked over at Jason and Elizabeth's table where Cam and Josslyn were now sitting. "I'll go get your sister."
"Thanks. I'll just go say bye to Sam and Drew."
Danny stood back as he watched Willow go over to their table. Alexis, Scout, Sam, and Drew each hugged her, and she headed over to Jax and Josslyn. As they walked out, Danny felt like he'd been punched in the gut by his own actions and wondered if Willow would even return to their house.
