Special thanks to: Me the Anon One, thephantomgal10, Lacey52
Well, this is officially the last chapter. It's been great, folks, and I really, really appreciate every single one of you reading this and sticking with me through it all. As with all works dealing with Evanescence, this story is dedicated to a young Navy man I've lost my heart to and to you, my loyal fans. Thanks for sticking with me.
Chapter 12: A Part of You
DJ sat patiently on a bench in the park as his mother dabbed at a cut on his arm. Cassy and TJ stood nearby trying not to laugh as Sam scolded her son for ditching school and fighting a ghost.
"Come on, Mom. Did you ever get on Dad about this?" DJ finally said, getting annoyed with Cassy and TJ's stifled laughter.
"Well, no, but that was different," Sam said.
Cassy and TJ motioned that they were going to leave as DJ gave them a murderous glare.
"How is it different? He fought ghosts, I fight ghosts. He ditched school to fight ghosts, I ditch school to fight ghosts." DJ shrugged. "It sounds the same to me."
"His mother didn't know what he was doing." Sam sighed, gently touching DJ's cheek. There were tears in her eyes. "I don't want to lose you, sweetie. You're the only thing I have from your father; I can't lose you too."
"You're not going to lose me, Mom," he said, hugging her. "I just wish Dad was here even for just a little while to help me control my powers," he whispered.
"I know, sweetie," she whispered back, returning his embrace.
Neither noticed the breeze that blew around them as they sat on the bench together. It was almost like they were waiting for something that neither one of them was sure of what it was.
"Hello, DJ," a voice said, interrupting the teen's thoughts.
He looked up then blinked. "D-Dad?"
The older man just smiled. "Wow, you've really grown up," he said.
DJ was on his feet and running up to Danny before Sam had even registered who was standing there. DJ hugged his dad, and Danny laughed a little as he was nearly knocked over by his son.
"Wow, you're pretty powerful," Danny said, returning his son's embrace.
"Yeah, I take after my dad," DJ replied, still clinging tightly to the older man. He didn't care how childish he looked. "I missed you, Dad," he whispered.
Danny's eyes softened. "I missed you too."
Sam finally managed to get to her feet, walking over slowly. DJ finally released his dad, and Sam ran into Danny's open arms, wrapping her own around his neck as she kissed him.
"This is real?" she whispered, touching his cheek.
"Only for a little while," he whispered back, smiling sadly.
She nodded, tears welling up in her lilac eyes. "How long?"
"A week." He brushed a stray tear from her cheek before turning back to their son. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay," DJ said, smiling weakly. "Besides, you never really did leave because you left me behind, and I'm a part of you."
The one week my dad was alive seemed like the longest week of my life. We got to talk a lot and discuss my powers, but I made sure Mom had time with him too. Things were reconciled between him and my Manson grandparents, and my parents got to get married for real this time. Then on Sunday morning the next week, my mom woke up, and he was just gone. The only thing left behind was his wedding ring, which she now wears on a chain around her neck. It kind of made things easier on us because saying "goodbye" just as you got to say "hello" would've been pretty painful.
Cassy and I started dating a couple of weeks later around the same time my mom found out she was pregnant again. I remember she said I'd better make sure this kid didn't wish Dad would come back again, or she'd probably end up with three. I've changed a lot since that fall when I picked up the missing pieces in my life; would you believe me if I told you TJ is now my best friend?
I still miss my dad even though it's been almost five years since I got to meet him, but he's always with us. I know that now, and sometimes I feel his spirit helping me along. I definitely needed his help the day I married Cassy. I would've phased right through the floor. Now, Cassy and I are starting our own family, and my little sister is looking forward to being an aunt...at only four...
"Danny! Danny!" DJ looked up, setting down his pen as a little girl with lilac eyes and raven hair ran into the room.
He smiled and caught her as she leapt into his arms. "Hey, Kaity." He stood, lifting the little girl up further into his arms. "Are you making messes for my wife?"
"No, Mama said I made enough of 'em at home," the little girl chirped.
He laughed. "I'm sure you did," he said, tweeking her nose.
"Hey, are you two ready to go?" Cassy asked from where she leaned in the doorway, one hand resting on her slightly round stomach. "Sam doesn't want to be late for the dedication."
"Gimme a sec'." DJ set his sister down. "Go on get in the car."
The little girl nodded obediently and ran off while he began to search for his keys. Cassy sighed, shaking her head, before grabbing his jacket off the hook on the wall and shaking it lightly. The keys clanked in the pocket. DJ turned to her, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. She smiled and handed him the coat as he walked toward her.
"What would I do without you?" he mumbled, kissing her lightly on the lips.
"You'd make your mother late for the dedication," she teased, kissing him back. "Now, come on." She headed for the front door.
He smiled, shaking his head as he watched his six-month pregnant wife walk away. He turned back to his study, gazing at the only photo he had of he and his dad. His smile widened then he closed the door.
The End
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