Chapter 65.

Hello, again! From this point on, chapters are going to be very fast-paced so a lot of things may happen at once or there may be bigger time jumps within chapters. Just thought I'd mention in case you get confused.

Back to this one, though...it's a toughie. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Shameless.


In the two weeks that followed, Debbie had taken up residence at Daniela's house much to the confusion of the woman's father. He was a little less convinced that it was a good idea to let a pregnant 15 year old live with him given that he was still on parole. Regardless, he had been reassured that everything would be fine and that Debbie would be at school most days anyway.

Frank, of course, had tried to weasel his way in. Lawrence had put a sharp stop to that and threw him out on the frosty curb to fend for himself. The scene had caused a very satisfied smirk from Daniela.

Things were finally starting to look up.

When she wasn't consumed by her coursework, Daniela could often be found channelling the rest of her energy into making sure Debbie was comfortable at her house. The teen was inching closer to her due date and her laboured breathing paired with disgruntled complains about back pain and heartburn meant that the pregnancy was finally starting to take its toll on her.

The thought that she was able to help her through such a life-changing process meant a lot to Daniela. This sentiment wasn't missed by those around her. She had noticed the strange looks passed between Ian and Lip when she had told him about Debbie's new living arrangements. Still, she wouldn't allow their suspicions to bother her. She knew that it was the right thing to do.

Given that she had a free day, Daniela had stayed the night. Simon had messaged her asking to meet up for coffee later that morning so she was using the spare time to catch up on work. She was busy preparing a class presentation when the sound of someone knocking caused her attention to stray.

Frowning, she got up and answered the door.

"Fiona? Hey."

The older woman stood on her front porch wrapped up in her warmest clothes. At her greeting, Fiona nodded and managed a cordial smile.

"Hey, El. Mind if I come in?"

Daniela hesitated. She hadn't spoken to her in a while and certainly not about Debbie. She figured the girl was the reason she was making this sudden visit.

"Sure." Daniela stepped aside to let her in.

She gestured for her to go into the kitchen. Fiona looked around the room while Daniela poured her a cup of coffee.

"Thanks," said Fiona. Her un-gloved fingertips grasped the mug for warmth.

Daniela took a sip of her own and shrugged. "What's up?"

The woman's own hesitation was evident. "Is Debbie here?"

Daniela shook her head and leaned against the kitchen counter. "No, she's at school."

Her answer caused the other woman's brow to raise in surprise. It had been a condition made between the pair. Debbie was to continue her education while she stayed at the house for as long as her pregnancy would allow her.

"Did you need her for something?" Asked Daniela following the woman's silence.

Fiona shook her head. "No, no. I just thought I'd check in on her." She tilted her head and tapped the side of her mug. "Ian mentioned she was staying here."

Daniela nodded. "Yeah. The situation at her last place didn't seem very healthy so I said she could stay with me until she finds her feet."

Fiona nodded again. Her mouth thinned and she tried her best to tread lightly. "I just kinda figured she'd come back now that we've got the house back."

"She thought about it," said the other woman before tilting her head. "She just wasn't sure."

"About what?" Frowned Fiona.

Daniela's mouth twisted. "You."

Fiona released a shocked laugh. Placing her coffee down, she crossed her arms over her chest. "What about me?"

The younger woman was clearly uncomfortable judging by the look on her face. Still, she figured Fiona had a right to know.

"It's just...after all of the drama with the baby, Debbie didn't think you'd be the most welcoming."

"W-what?" Fiona stuttered. "Yeah, I may not approve of all of her choices but that doesn't mean I was just gonna say no."

Daniela gave her a look that indicated otherwise. "You did threaten to kick her out if she couldn't pay rent."

Fiona's expression shifted to one of disbelief. She exhaled sharply and took a few moments to compose herself. Her hands pressed together in front of her face.

"Look," she began carefully. "I know that things haven't been easy for you lately." At that, Daniela's head retracted. She didn't see how that was relevant to their current conversation. "But I'm not sure if this is the best environment for Debbie right now."

Now it was Daniela's turn to be offended.

"What are you talking about?"

Fiona's head tilted warily. "It's just- I understand why you're doing this, okay? I get that after what you went through, you might feel some sort of connection with Debbie and her situation. But I'm not sure it'll benefit either of you in the long run."

"Jesus, Fiona. You make it sound like I'm preying on her." Daniela's lips curled into a scowl.

"I'm not!" Fiona shook her head. "I'm really not-"

"I let Debbie stay here because she didn't feel safe going anywhere else," stressed Daniela. She felt the irritation build in her chest. "I just want what's best for her."

Fiona quirked a brow. "And you think I don't?"

"I know you do. And I don't want her to have this baby just as much as you do. But it's too late now." Daniela shrugged. "It's happening, and she needs a roof over her head."

"So this is you throwing it in my face? Suddenly, Debbie doesn't feel "safe" talking to me so you just go behind my back like this?"

"What?" Daniela's eyes narrowed in confusion. She took a moment to breathe. "Fiona- I have seen everything that you have sacrificed for these kids, and I admire you so much. I only did this because I wanted to."

"You can't just baby her forever!" Snapped Fiona, her eyes widening.

Daniela pushed herself off the counter and took a step forward. "What do you want me to do? Kick her out on the street? Have her shack up with some closeted cancer-ridden lesbian? Make her work the corner just to feed her kid?"

Fiona glared back at her. "You're not her mother."

Daniela released a wry laugh and shook her head. "I'm not trying to be. And the last time I checked, neither were you." Swallowing hard, she grabbed her keys from the table. Her eyes locked with the other woman's as she levelled her with an impassive look. "So, if you don't mind, I have somewhere to be right now."

Fiona remained in place for a few moments, her mind going over their tense interaction. Most of the fire that had been burning in her stomach had died out with Daniela's final statement. Releasing a breath, she nodded and made her way to the door. Without another word, she left.

Finally alone, Daniela took a second to steady her breathing. Her eyes shut as she inhaled and exhaled in an attempt to dismiss the negative energy from their argument. A text from Simon brought her back to the present moment. With another huff, she left to meet him.

/

Daniela's mood hadn't improved much during her journey to meet Simon. She arrived at the small coffee shop close to his campus and ripped open the door. Her own aggression caught her off guard for a second. Quickly, she brushed it off and made her way over to where her friend was sitting.

Simon smiled and waved when he saw her. The curl in his lips stilted somewhat at the sight of her disgruntled expression. He observed her with a raised brow as she slid into the seat across from him.

Daniela, noticing his look, shook her head.

"I don't wanna get into it," she said while massaging her temples.

The young man just raised his hands, conceding. Instead, he pushed a paper coffee cup towards her. Daniela accepted it gratefully. A few sips of the coffee managed to calm her down enough to the point where she could manage a smile.

She rested her forearms on the table and regarded her friend warmly. "What's up?"

Suddenly hesitant, Simon toyed with his own cup. His fingers tugged on the teabag string that hung over the lip of it. His request to see her had come out of nowhere, not that either had a problem with it. With the both of them in college, it was rare that their schedules would line up and allow them to hang out. It was probably one of the only things Daniela missed about high school.

She had figured the reason was so that he could check up on her again. The thought, as per usual, annoyed her but she knew that it was only because they cared. Still, in the months that had passed, she found that she was slowly getting back to her usual self. Simon seemed to pick up on this too because he regarded her with a small, happy smile.

It didn't linger for long.

Growing more impatient, Daniela huffed and leaned forward.

"Si...just spit it out."

Snapping out of his haze, Simon nodded. "Right, yeah okay." He took a moment to clear his throat. "Uh, basically- my grandma isn't doing too well."

Daniela's brow knotted in sadness. She remembered Mandy telling her about it.

Simon nodded knowingly and continued. "Yeah, she uh, she hasn't been very good for a while now but two weeks ago she had another stroke- it was pretty bad. She's been on bedrest ever since. My uncle- you know the one who drives trucks- well he lives a couple hours away. So he's been making trips back and forth to look after her. But his work is starting to pick up again and he can't balance all of it at the same time anymore."

"Si…" Daniela tutted and placed a hand over his. "I'm so sorry."

Simon's jaw clenched. His eyes remained on the table. "He asked my mom if she would consider moving back to Colorado. Just to help out, you know."

At that, the woman fell silent. She pursed her lips and felt dread build in the pit of her stomach.

"And what did she say?"

Simon's eyes turned upwards, locking with hers. "Her and my step-dad are gonna rent out the house here and stay at my grandma's."

The knot in Daniela's stomach worsened and she gulped.

"But you're staying here right?" She asked quietly. Neither missed the hope in her voice.

Simon's attention returned to his cup. Judging by the way his shoulders rose and fell, Daniela already knew the answer.

"I've been talking to Mandy about it," he began. "And she's always talked about wanting to get out of this place and I know she liked it in Denver so…"

As he trailed off, Daniela's expression fell. She felt the familiar sting of tears building in her eyes but pushed them back. Her mouth twisted as she began to pick at her nailbeds.

"When do you leave?" The words were stilted by the lump in her throat.

Simon's brow creased sadly. "Well my mom's still sorting out all of the paperwork," he said hopefully. "But, I don't know, two weeks at the most."

Daniela sniffled and wiped the moisture from her cheek.

"What about college?"

Simon's head tilted. "I've deferred next semester so that gives me some time to see if it's a permanent thing or not."

Daniela nodded. She felt her friend's gaze weighing down on her but didn't dare look up. She wasn't sure she'd be able to control her emotions any more than she already was. A rare case of sadness was painted across Simon's face.

"I know it's shitty timing. I do. And believe me I do not want to be leaving you right now-"

"It's okay, Si." She wiped away more tears and managed a feeble smile. "It's your family."

The man still didn't seem at ease. Both hands grasped the one that was already in his. He offered her a reassuring squeeze.

"It's not forever," he said. His lips quirked upwards. "I'm personally gonna be blowing up your phone at least five times a week." That elicited a wet laugh from Daniela that made his own smile grow. "And if you ever-ever need anything, you bet your ass that I will drive my mom's minivan all the way back here just for you."

Daniela rolled her eyes. She released a choked sound that resembled a sob mixed with more laughter. Across from her, Simon rose from his seat to meet her on the other side. He wasted no time pulling her up and into his arms. She accepted the hug immediately. Her eyes remained shut as she held onto him. She didn't want to have to say goodbye to any more people.

/

More days passed until Daniela made her way home for the weekend. Her key jiggled in the lock and she struggled to balance the bags in her hands while opening the door.

Stepping inside, she released a breath and glanced around for signs of life. She could see the blue light coming from the television and figured her dad was home from work. Sure enough, she was greeted by his face as she got to work unloading the Chinese food she bought.

"Hey," she said as she set down a container filled with special combination omelette. "I bought dinner. Is Debbie home?"

Lawrence rested against the archway. His mouth thinned as he observed his daughter setting the table. Since the teen had started staying at the house, he'd noticed the slight changes in Daniela. It was small at first and he had been willing to write it off as her just trying to do the right thing. But as days turned into weeks, he began questioning his daughter's true motives for letting her stay.

He didn't dare bring it up with her for fear of causing her to shut him out. Still, it was undeniable how dramatically her behaviour had shifted now that she had Debbie around to take care of. He knew it was starting to wear on many of her other relationships. She hadn't told him anything explicitly. But given how much time she now spent at the house fussing over Debbie, it didn't take a genius to put the pieces together.

"Dad?" Daniela eyed him expectantly.

Lawrence coughed and gestured with his head upstairs. "Yeah, she's in her room."

Nodding, the woman gave the dinner spread one last look before going up. Lawrence's eyes trailed after her. He released a worried breath.

Daniela's knuckles rapped softly on the wooden door. She peered inside to see Debbie resting in bed. A smile worked its way onto her face as she stepped in.

The girl had her back propped up against the bed frame and her hands were splayed across her rotund belly. She made a low noise of discomfort.

Daniela's eyes widened. Quickly, she moved closer. Her hands hovered around her as she assessed her carefully.

"Are you okay?"

Debbie wore an agitated expression but nodded. "Yeah, she's just been kicking extra hard lately." She felt the sensation pass and released a breath. Leaning back, she looked over the woman in front of her.

The worry that had been etched into Daniela's face melted away with her reassurance. Replacing it was a quiet wonder. Debbie noted the way the woman's eyes lingered on her swollen belly. Daniela had remained tentative around her and the baby. At times, it seemed like she didn't want to intrude. Like it wasn't something for her to experience.

But, now, Debbie saw the silent longing in her face.

Without a word, she grabbed her hand. She offered Daniela a small smile as she rested the hand on her belly. The woman frowned. They waited patiently before another kick bounced against her skin. A shocked laugh fell from Daniela's lips. Another kick caused both of them to laugh.

Finally, Daniela withdrew her hand. "That was amazing, Debs."

The girl wasn't sure what to say and just shrugged. Snapping out of her haze, Daniela clasped her hands together.

"Dinner's ready downstairs if you're hungry." Tossing the girl one last smile, she headed back down to the kitchen.

Now alone, Debbie's mouth pursed. A sad knot formed in her brow as a dreaded realisation filled her chest. She didn't allow herself to linger on it for much longer and followed after Daniela.

/

Debbie didn't stick around once she was finished eating. Daniela had ushered her back upstairs with a quiet note for her to get some rest. She then returned to the kitchen where she worked with her dad to pack everything up.

She had noticed her dad's silence throughout dinner. While he wasn't generally a man of many words, tonight seemed different. Like he had been biting his tongue. It unnerved her.

Now that they were alone again, she took the opportunity to ask him about it.

"Are you okay?" She glanced at him.

Lawrence shrugged. "Yeah."

Daniela gave him a look as she placed a freshly-washed plate into the rack. It was quickly retrieved by her dad who wiped it dry with a towel.

"You sure? You just seem a little off."

She heard her father suck in a long breath. She looked at him warily out of the corner of her eye.

Lawrence shook his head and placed the plate down. "I don't know." His eyes lingered on Bruno who had been hanging around the kitchen sniffing around for any traces of food. "How long is she going to be staying here for?"

Daniela, having not expected the question, frowned at him. She shrugged.

"I don't know. However long she needs to I guess." She placed a handful of cutlery into the dishrack.

Lawrence didn't touch it.

"Dani..." he began. The sudden seriousness in his voice caused her to stop what she was doing. She turned her body to face him fully. "What are you doing?"

She stared back in confusion. "What do you mean? I'm not doing anything. I'm just making sure she has someplace safe to stay."

"Yes, but it doesn't have to be here." Lawrence dropped the towel on the counter. "Her family is in a house down the street. She should be there, with them."

"Where is this coming from?"

"I just think, given what happened to you-"

Daniela raised her hands. "What is with everyone thinking I have some sort of ulterior motive here? Yes, I had a miscarriage. It happened. I can admit it. But this has nothing to do with me."

Lawrence was unfazed by her irritation and just sighed. "Even if that's true...the girl needs to have her family supporting her."

Daniela's frown deepened. "She is my family."

"I know that," nodded the man. "But it shouldn't all rest on your shoulders. You're already wearing yourself thin running back and forth between here and school. What's going to happen when she has the baby? Are we going to turn the guest room into a nursery? Are you going to be here looking after the baby while she's at school?" Noting his daughter's sullen expression, he stepped forward to grasp her shoulders. "I think what you're doing for that girl is admirable. But I won't let you overwork yourself just to help her. Not when we both know what's really happening here."

Daniela's jaw clenched. She fought back tears as her dad pulled her into his chest.

Upstairs, Debbie stood listening in. She had been drifting off when she'd heard Daniela's raised voice. Her hand had clutched onto the stair railing as she eavesdropped on their conversation. She felt her stomach knot.

Earlier that day, once she had finished school, she had been walking to the house when she was intercepted by Fiona. She hadn't expected it, nor the offer from her sister to move back home. It had been a tempting offer, but one she had turned down. She knew things with Fiona were never going to be good so long as she was pregnant.

But the short stop hadn't been entirely in vain. She had met Queenie, Frank's ex who had drifted into town to collect her grandson. Immediately, she had been taken with the woman and her stories about the commune she lived on. Queenie, much like her sister, had offered her a place there if she wanted. And, like she had done with Fiona, Debbie declined. She liked staying with Daniela.

These last few days however, she had begun to notice the effect her presence was having on the woman. Suddenly, it seemed less like she was trying to help her, and more like she was trying to be her. She knew it wasn't intentional but it had made things stressful.

Hearing Lawrence's concerns had caused Debbie to do some self-reflection. He had noticed too.

She thought back to when she had seen Lip all those months ago. She saw the same look in his eyes with Daniela when she felt her baby kick. And, in a way, she understood.

But she didn't want her to feel that forever.

To say Daniela was surprised to find Debbie with all of her things packed the next morning was an understatement. She had allowed herself to sleep in that day and had frowned when she saw the guest room was tidied. She had made her way downstairs and slowed at the sight of Debbie handing her bags to some random woman.

"Debs?" She descended the stairs. Hearing her name, the pregnant girl turned to look at her. "What's going on?"

Debbie's mouth pinched. "I'm going to live on the commune with Queenie."

"What?" Daniela's frown deepened. "Who's Queenie?"

The woman in question returned to grab the last of Debbie's bags. Daniela took in her bohemian appearance with a raised brow.

"She's Sammi's mom. And she's taking Chucky back to the commune where she lives." Debbie raised her chin. "And I'm going with her."

"But...why?"

"I just felt like it was the best thing for my baby," she shrugged. "Queenie's way of life is full of wisdom and adventure. And I want that for my daughter."

Daniela's head retracted. She moved to grasp the girl's shoulders. "Are you sure about this, Debs? I mean, that's a big commitment. And what about school? And your family. They're all here."

"I heard you talking to your dad last night." At that, the woman's grip loosened.

Daniela's eyes shut. "Debs. No matter what you heard, I meant what I said when I told you I would take care of you."

"Oh give it up, El." Debbie shook her head in frustration. "We both know you're only doing this because you can't have your own baby."

Daniela stared back, her mouth agape. Her hands fell from Debbie's shoulders immediately and she took a step back. The burning sensation in her nose caused her to glance away.

Debbie's eyes lowered to the ground. She hadn't meant for it to come out like that. She waited as Daniela wrapped her arms around herself.

"You're right," she nodded finally. "I did. But now I just want what's best for you. I've always wanted that."

Debbie maintained her steely expression.

"You're not my mom. You're not even Fiona," she scoffed before her eyes narrowed. "And this isn't your baby."

Daniela blinked back tears and swallowed the lump in her throat.

She let out a dry exhale. "I know that, Debs."

At the sound of her name being called, Debbie glanced over her shoulder. Queenie gestured for her to hurry along. The van was packed and waiting for her. Her eyes travelled back to Daniela who now stood at the base of the stairs. Her arms gripped the opposing forearms tightly as her gaze remained on the floor.

Debbie's jaw clenched with emotion. She didn't think a goodbye would do either of them any good and simply made her way out.

Daniela heard the door close behind her. Slowly, her feet trailed into the living room. She placed a hand on her chest and felt her heart thundering beneath it. Her lungs were gasping for air.

With her free hand, she guided herself to the nearest armchair and sunk down into it. Her chest heaved as she spent the next few minutes trying to steady herself. Her fingers dug into the armrest. She felt the first sob break through and she quickly clapped a hand over her mouth to muffle it.

Her eyes shut as her shoulders shook with a fresh wave of tears. Audibly, she tried to coach herself through the same breathing techniques the paramedics had used with her.

Inhale. 3, 2, 1. Exhale.

She repeated the mantra over and over again until her head was clear.


Things just seem to be stacking up against Daniela. Her situation with Debbie was something I really wanted to show. It's terrible and twisted but also something that she would definitely do out of blind emotion. And, unfortunately for her, it didn't end well.

In addition to that, she got some upsetting news from Simon. I always knew there would come a time where he and Mandy would be written out like her character in the show. This, fortunately, is under much more hopeful circumstances.

The next chapter will be their last.

Let me know what you thought!