Dream Fanfic 7
Disclaimer: I own the plot, as well as Marianna and Alan. Everything else isn't really mine. The characters are real people, and i certainly don't own them.

Okay, I lied, there may be a few more chapters, it depends. some of this wasn't in my dream, and I'm having a writers' block over it at the moment. R&R if you want more!!!


Chapter 7

One month after previous chapter.


The day started out normally enough. Alan, Maureen, Jessica, Liza, and Lionel all went off to work. Amber and Cheryl stayed home with the children, one of them possibly running off to get something once in a while. Amber often spent time on her laptop, and Cheryl sat nearby with the kids. Conversations were on and off. Everyone came home at the end of the day, around 5:00.
Another almost daily tradition: Amber and Maureen's incessant bickering. The two got into an argument almost every day over something. The others just started tuning them out.
Cheryl sat down in the kitchen/dining room. Liza looked up as she did so.
What could they be fighting about now? Came Alan's exasperated voice from the back door. The two women shrugged.
Will they ever get along? the two said at the same time, then looked at each other and laughed.
Amber stormed in at that moment, sitting rigidly in her chair next to Cheryl. Maureen entered soon after.
Amber, listen- she began.
No, you listen! You were gone from my life when i was very young. You walked in again after 6 years of silence, then you start bossing me around. Now it's happening again. I came back, and now you're trying to control my life! I'm an adult now, Mom. I have kids of my own! I know how to take care of myself. Amber finished her little speech and stopped talking. Everyone in the room was silent. Alan walked over to Maureen.
Okay, let's just calm down. he said quietly.
I will if she will. the two said. They glared at one another.
That is It! Cheryl burst out suddenly. Amber and Maureen looked at her. You two need to grow up. For God's sake, you two care only about being right. You've been so selfish. What kind of example are you setting by acting like this? And Amber, God knows I taught you better then that when you were a kid! Amber and her mother fell silent at her words. Liza looked shocked at Cheryl's sudden outburst, though secretly, she was glad that someone had brought their foot down over the fighting.
I'm sorry. Amber whispered. Cheryl sighed in an exasperated sort of way. Sitting down, she looked at Amber and Maureen.
You two need to learn to work things out. If you don't, you'll lose each other forever. You've had to spend 7 years more years without each other, plus the other 6. And we've had to put up with life without Amber because of it. Cheryl sighed and sat back in her chair, staring at the floor. Amber and Maureen felt, obviously, very guilty. Everything Cheryl had said was right.
I'm....I'm sorry, Cheryl..... Amber said again. Maureen nodded. Cheryl let out a small laugh and looked up. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears.
Don't be sorry. Just...get along. Please.....for all our sakes.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Three days later, Cheryl woke to find Amber sick in the bathroom. She approached cautiously, trying not to be heard. It didn't work.
I know you're there. Amber said ruefully. I can sense you.
You okay? Cheryl asked. Amber smiled and nodded slightly.
I'll be fine. I'll explain once this passes, all right? Cheryl nodded and left.
Amber emerged 30 minutes later, still pale, but better then she had looked. She sat down, staring into space.
Cheryl said. Amber jumped a little and looked up. I wanna know what's up, Amber. You can not, i repeat, Can Not tell me that being sick is nothing. Amber smiled weakly. She couldn't get anything past Cheryl at all. Too many times this had been proved in the past. Amber tried as hard as she could to hide her emotions, but no matter what she did, Cheryl always knew.
All right, listen. I haven't been well lately. I've been sick in the morning, and it subsides by around noon. I went to the doctor's for a few tests, and am waiting for him to call me. I wanted to know everything before saying anything. Amber finished with a small sigh, seeming to be relieved at telling someone.
Amber.....you don't think you're....
Yeah, I do. That's why i need my doctor to call soon. I'm so tense not knowing that it's killing me. Amber laughed nervously. Just then the phone rang. The two looked at each other as Maureen walked in with Alan.
Maureen, slightly confused at why the phone wasn't picked up yet, said, One of you gonna get that or what? Amber got up shakily and picked up the phone. After a few moments, she hung up again and turned around, a smile on her face.
I'm pregnant! she cried. Maureen looked confused for a moment, but brightened as Cheryl engulfed Amber in a huge hug. So I can Breathe, Cheryl. Amber said weakly. Maureen walked over and hugged her daughter too.
Amber, that's wonderful! she cried.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
About 7 months later, Amber laid in bed at home with her new baby girl in her arms. Maureen smiled as she watched her daughter play with and coo at her little one. She really was a natural at it. She saw Amber and Cheryl talking very quietly. Maureen felt a pang of jealousy as she watched.
Yes, Maureen was jealous of her sister's closeness with Amber. But, she reasoned, it made perfect sense. Maureen hadn't been there when Amber was very small. All of Amber's attachments had been made when she was about two. Cheryl was there when Amber was that young. Cheryl had taken care of her the way Maureen realized she should have. It made sense for Amber to be close to her aunt. Cheryl had been a mother to Amber when she needed one and Maureen wasn't there. Amber talked to Cheryl about everything. Maureen often wondered why she'd never really tried to be that way with Amber.
Because you didn't want more confrontation.' her thoughts told her. The last time they had tried to talk about it, Amber had blown up at her mom. Maureen saw Cheryl look over at her, then at Amber, who nodded. Cheryl stood and took Maureen into the hallway, Maureen very confused. Cheryl turned and looked at her sister.
Talk to her. she stated simply. Maureen went slightly pale.
Why? She obviously would rather talk to you. Cheryl sighed exasperatedly through her teeth.
Maureen, she wants to talk to you. You're her mother. She wants to share this with you. Go and talk to her. It will make her happy. Cheryl smiled as she finished. Maureen smiled back and walked back into the room. Liza was sitting by the window, staring aimlessly outside, seemingly in another world. She had been like this for a while now.
Hey, Mom. Amber said when she noticed Maureen there. You want to say hello to your third grandchild? Maureen's smile widened as she held out her hands to hold the tiny bundle.
Hello, Jamie. she said to the sleeping baby. They had named her Jamie Ann White. Holding her brought back memories of Amber's birth. She's so beautiful, Amber. She looks.....
Just like you did as a baby, Maureen. A voice said. They all turned and saw a ghost standing near the bed. Liza looked up and went pale. She started to tremble.
she whispered. Cheryl came in at this statement, and her jaw dropped as the ghost nodded.
It was Melody Clark, Amber's grandmother. Melody smiled around at the group. Jessica entered. She let out a shriek of joy when they explained what was going on.
You must be Amber. My husband and I have watched you grow up. You were brought up so well, despite everything that's happened. Melody looked pointedly at Maureen, who looked away. But that's not important. I can't stay. I need to go soon. I just wanted to say I miss you all. And to see my first grandchild and third great-grandchild. Maureen, I don't blame you for what happened, and neither does your father. Julie misses you. We are very proud of all of you.
Melody disappeared with a smile on her face. Every one of the sisters burst into tears. Over the next hour or so, Amber heard several stories about her grandparents. Having never really known them, this was an interesting experience.
I always wanted to be close to my mom and dad. Maureen said quietly. They were always so busy. Our house always was a busy place. There were five of us. she looked Amber straight in the face. I always swore when they died that i would do my best to be there for my kids. I never got that with you. I shouldn't have left.....
But you did, Amber said, staring straight back. It's in the past. There is nothing you can do about it, Mom. You know that. We need to make the best of our time now. Amber smiled wryly as she remembered getting the same advice from Cheryl months ago. Maureen leaned forward and hugged Amber tightly. Amber hugged her back. When they pulled away, Amber looked over at Liza. Liza, what's wrong? You've seem to have been in another world for weeks now.
Liza smiled slightly, then sighed. I just have this feeling something's going to happen. Something bad.
Have you ever gotten this before? Amber asked cautiously. Liza shook her head.
Not before recently. Only recently. Liza stopped and gasped. Just moments later, the wall was blown away. Liza was knocked to the ground, and hit her head. Maureen ran to help her as the others all looked toward the window.
Majin Buu floated in the air out side the room. Alan, and Lionel, who had just arrived, got into a fighting stance. Buu chuckled. Amber blood boiled. Hand it to Buu to show up on a good day.
Oops, did I interrupt something? he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Amber sat up abruptly. Maureen tried to get her daughter to lay back down, but to no avail. Amber was out of bed and standing next to her husband and father and, after a snap of her fingers, was in her best fighting clothes. Buu moved fast as lightning and grabbed Liza around the waist. Liza, still out cold, didn't notice. If you want her back, follow me or she dies. he left.
Damn it! Amber yelled, getting ready to go after him. Maureen put a hand on her shoulder.
Don't go, Amber. You're still weak. You need your rest. she said. Amber turned to her.
I can't. Liza needs help, and I'm the only one strong enough to do the job. You know that, Mom. Amber said. Take care of the baby for me? Maureen sighed through her teeth, then nodded. Amber smiled and flew out of the window.

TBC
R&R, please!