Melinoe was jolted out of her thoughts when the front door slammed shut. She put down her phone and turned to her ajar door with a slight frown.
"Something smells good Jazz," a man called.
"Hey honey, good day at the office?" Jazz greeted cheerily.
"Yep, we got a big case from Elmerton. Really good for the firm. What are you cooking?" the man replied. Melinoe sighed as she stood up and crossed the room, guessing who had entered the house and that she should introduce herself.
"Lamb stew with dumplings. Your favourite," Jazz answered. Melinoe paused on the stairs out of view of the married couple in the hallway, waiting for Jazz to explain at least some of the situation to her husband before Melinoe made her presence known.
"What's he done now?" the man grumbled in annoyance.
"Why do you always think it's something I did?" Danny retorted as he stepped out of the living room, Rusty following the man dutifully.
"Because it usually is. You are not keeping that dog. I already have one stray on my couch, I don't need another in my yard," Jazz's husband remarked, pointing at Rusty in dislike. Melinoe scowled at the newcomer.
"Honey, Rusty isn't going to be here more than a few days," Jazz soothed.
"You've already agreed, haven't you? You don't need this stress Jazz, it's not good for the baby," her husband realised with a worried frown. The man suddenly realised what his wife said.
"You've named it? Once you name it, you're not gonna get rid of it," the man pointed out.
"Rusty isn't my dog-" Danny began.
"That's right. When you move out of here then maybe you can adopt a pet. But not while you're under my roof," the man agreed. Danny rolled his eyes.
"Rusty has an owner. She's in trouble and I'm helping her out. Jazz said she and her dog could stay the next few nights while I sort everything out," Danny resumed.
"Owner?" Jazz's husband repeated.
"That's right Richard. Mel is upstairs. I gave her the spare room. It'll only be a couple of days," Jazz confirmed.
"Mel? Since when do you know anyone called Mel?" Richard questioned in confusion. Melinoe sighed as she decided to make her appearance.
"Well, I don't really know her personally but- oh there she is. Mel, this is my husband Richard. Richard, Mel," Jazz introduced spotting the teen girl. Richard turned to the girl and his confused frown deepened.
"Nice to meet you Mel," Richard muttered before turning to Danny.
"What are you doing with a teenaged girl?" Richard demanded. Danny rolled his eyes again.
"Geez the way you act you'd think I've been in prison," Danny grumbled.
"I'm surprised you haven't been. I've seen you stumble through my door before Jazz cleaned you up," Richard retorted. Danny huffed in annoyance.
"Mel's the daughter of an old friend. Nothing suspicious. You've heard of Sam. She's missing and we think a ghost's behind everything. So, if anyone can help with a ghost problem it's a Fenton," Danny clarified.
"Then take her to your parents," Richard suggested. Danny and Jazz grimaced.
"Mel needs a… gentler touch than my parents can provide," Danny replied carefully.
"You don't hunt ghosts though Danny. How can you help this girl?" Richard argued realistically.
"Hey, my dad has dragged me on enough ghost hunts. I know what I'm doing. Mel has never been here before today, if that ghost who took Sam comes back for her, it won't be able to find her," Danny reminded the man.
Jazz dropped her head in to her open hand in exasperation when Richard's face went slack in alarm.
"You're bringing a ghost here?! Are you out of your mind!?" Richard shouted fearfully. Danny blinked in confusion.
"Tactful as always Danny. Richard no ghost is coming here. Besides, you know my dad installed a ghost shield if we really need it," Jazz interjected.
"He's put us in danger Jazz. He's put you in danger," Richard exclaimed.
"I grew up fighting off ghosts. I can defend myself if it comes to it. Relax Richard. If I thought that Mel being here would be any way dangerous, I wouldn't have agreed," Jazz soothed.
"And I wouldn't have brought her here," Danny added with a nod. Richard frowned at the siblings before sighing in defeat.
"Alright. But if a ghost comes-" Richard relented.
"I'll lead it away from you," Danny finished with a determined frown.
Jazz excused herself to finish cooking the meal and Danny returned to the living room. Melinoe glanced at Richard before following Danny and her dog. Danny dropped into a seat on the leather couch and causally shoved Rusty off the seat beside him. Rusty was unfazed and instead settled on a bundled blanket on the floor beside Danny. Melinoe sat beside the man and raised an eyebrow at Rusty.
"How do you keep doing that?" she muttered.
"Dogs listen to firm commands. I haven't let Rusty up on the couch with me at all since we arrived, so he knows I don't want him up here. If Rusty wrecks the couch, Richard will never let me hear the end of it," Danny answered with a shrug.
"I've tried that, but he never listens to me," Melinoe admitted.
"You're probably not firm enough with him," Danny replied. Richard frowned at the relaxing dog as he entered the living room, dropping into a leather armchair, his suit jacket was gone and his tie loose around his neck.
"You bet I won't. That couch was expensive," Richard grumbled.
"You do realise that the baby isn't gonna care how much the couch costs when they spit up on it right," Danny pointed out. Richard frowned at the man but didn't reply. Melinoe surveyed Jazz's husband. He had neat black hair, slicked back with gel, kind brown eyes which seemed to harden whenever they landed on Danny, and long fingers which tapped rhythmically on the armchair's armrest.
Melinoe jumped in surprise when the television exploded into life when a cheering crowd appeared on the screen.
"Sorry," Danny mumbled as he turned the volume down.
"I hate awkward silences," Danny added with a grin. Melinoe smiled in understanding, she felt the same way.
"Put on the sports would ya," Richard requested. Danny tapped a couple of buttons and obliged. Melinoe frowned as a football game appeared on the screen.
"Green Bay Packers against the Seattle Seahawks. Who do you think will win?" Richard commented.
"Don't care as long as it isn't the Packers," Danny retorted disinterestedly.
"What have you got against the Packers?" Richard wondered.
"Oh nothing. But some of their fans are fruit loops. Don't want to encourage them," Danny answered. Jazz popped her head into the living room before frowning at the television.
"Is that the Packers?" Jazz asked.
"Yep," Danny confirmed.
"Are they winning?" Jazz inquired.
"Not at the minute," Danny replied.
"Hmm, I shouldn't be happy about that. Dinner's nearly ready. Danny would you mind helping me with the table?" Jazz requested. Danny nodded and followed Jazz out of the living room to the kitchen.
"So, you're the famous Sam Manson's daughter?" Richard remarked with a smirk. Melinoe blinked in surprise before shrugging.
"I had no idea she was famous," Melinoe replied.
"She is in the Fenton family. Apparently, Danny hasn't been the same since they split. Although that was before I met Jazz so I couldn't tell you if that's true," Richard elaborated.
"Split? My mom and Danny only told me they were friends," Melinoe pointed out.
"Oops. Didn't realise they didn't want you to know," Richard muttered.
"Why wouldn't they?" Melinoe challenged.
"I dunno. I think it was an ugly break-up. They were serious and then one day they weren't. Even Jazz doesn't know what happened between them," Richard admitted. Melinoe frowned to herself in confusion.
"Dinner you two!" Jazz called. Melinoe followed Richard into the kitchen and Jazz handed Melinoe a bowl with some stew in it.
"I pulled it out earlier. It should be cold enough for Rusty," the woman informed her before taking her seat at a large dining table on one side of the kitchen. Melinoe blinked at the woman's kindness before turning to Rusty as he ambled into the kitchen.
"Here Rusty," she called and popped the bowl on the floor by the cupboards and joined the three adults around the table. Jazz smiled at the girl as she spooned some stew into a bowl and handed it to her.
"There's plenty so if you want more, help yourself," Jazz added before handing her husband his portion and then Danny and finally herself.
The table was silent as they ate. Melinoe glanced at Danny, Richard's words causing her to frown in confusion. She could understand why Sam lied to her. She had been young when she first met Danny, she wouldn't have understood. But why had Danny? Melinoe chewed a lump of dumpling before realising that Danny hadn't lied to her. He just never clarified his relationship to her mother.
"This is delicious Jazz," Richard offered, breaking the silence.
"Glad you like it Richard. Mel? Do you like it?" Jazz asked. Melinoe blinked before nodding to the woman with a smile.
"Yeah, it's really good," Melinoe assured. She wasn't a big fan of lamb, but she was enjoying the stew. The table lapsed into another silence.
"So… Danny, any luck finding a job yet?" Richard asked conversationally but Melinoe caught Danny's annoyed eye roll.
"Not yet Richard. But I'm sure something will turn up soon," Danny muttered.
"What if it doesn't?" Richard retorted.
"I'm sure something will though," Jazz interjected.
"No Jazz let me play devil's advocate here. What will you do if you don't find a job soon? Danny you've been out of work for four months," Richard pressed.
"Hey, it's not my fault all the employers in Amity Park have my name on some sort of blacklist," Danny argued.
"The fact that you've been fired from most of the shops and small businesses present in Amity Park mustn't play a part in that at all," Richard pointed out sarcastically. Danny flinched at the comment.
"Okay, maybe I've tried most of the places in town, but there has to be somewhere else I haven't tried yet," Danny offered.
"But what if there isn't. What if you've burnt all your bridges in Amity Park?" Richard replied. Danny chewed on a mouthful of stew before sighing.
"I don't know then Richard," Danny admitted. Richard nodded in understanding.
"Danny, I know that you didn't do well in high school. I know you couldn't get into college. You're limited in what employment you can apply for. Especially when you limit yourself to a small town like Amity Park," Richard resumed.
"What are you suggesting Richard?" Jazz wondered suspiciously as she popped another mouthful of stew into her mouth.
"I'm suggesting that maybe Danny needs a fresh start. Maybe he should move to a new town and make a life for himself there," Richard admitted.
"Look, if you want me to move out, I can always go back to my parents," Danny offered.
"No Danny, you're staying here. You don't look after yourself with mom and dad," Jazz interjected.
"This isn't about you living on my couch. It's about your life. You've always said you want more than this but for some reason you can't get that. I believe that you make your own luck. You've been going through a rough patch for something like sixteen years. Something has to change and maybe going somewhere no one knows you and your history will allow you to move on," Richard explained. Danny chewed quietly on his food before shaking his head.
"My life is here Richard. I can't just leave," Danny muttered.
"Besides, Danny needs to be with his family. If he moved away who would be able to help him?" Jazz pointed out.
"Danny is a grown man Jazz. I would happily give him contacts from college he could use to help him start somewhere but when he limits himself to such a small employment pool, especially when he's been dipping into that same pool for the last two decades, eventually that pool will dry up. Particularly when Danny can't seem to keep a job for more than a few weeks," Richard reasoned.
"Richard, I appreciated the suggestion, but I'm not gonna leave Amity Park. This is my home but maybe I've stayed here too long," Danny remarked.
"Danny, you know I want you to stay here," Jazz interjected.
"I know Jazz, but even if you two have good wages, you can't afford to look after me and a baby. You're gonna be a mom soon Jazz, you have someone more important to look after than me," Danny pointed out. Richard pursed his lips and Melinoe could tell that the man agreed but didn't want to say so.
"We'll make it work," Jazz muttered.
"But you shouldn't have to. Richard's right. I'm a grown man. I'm grateful that you've taken me in and fed me. Honest Jazz, but you need to live your life. You have your own family to worry about without me getting in the way," Danny decided.
"Danny where will go you?" Jazz mumbled.
"Don't worry Jazz, I'm not gonna end up on a park bench again. I'll go back to mom and dad's," Danny answered. Melinoe raised an eyebrow.
"Are you sure?" Jazz pressed.
"It's not ideal but until I can afford my own place, I doubt it ever will be," Danny replied with a shrug.
Before long everyone had eaten their fill and left the dinner table. Melinoe offered to help Jazz clean up while Richard and Danny retired to the living room.
"I know my brother will be able to help you Mel. You just have to trust him. People always underestimate him but he's strong and when he sets his mind on something, he gets it," Jazz remarked as she scrubbed a bowl clean. Melinoe collected the bowl Rusty ate from the floor and the dog licked her face before she straightened back up. Melinoe smirked at the dog before turning to Jazz with a frown.
"Then how come he can't keep a job?" Melinoe asked. Jazz sighed before accepting the dirty bowl from Melinoe.
"Well, Danny does get a job eventually but he's not a miracle worker Mel. Things happen and with his track record, sometimes employers give up on him too easily," Jazz conceded.
"Then why not do what Richard suggested?" Melinoe wondered.
"Amity Park is home Mel. Would you leave just because someone thought it was a good idea?" Jazz replied. Melinoe considered the question before nodding.
"I guess I see what you mean. I wouldn't move," Melinoe agreed.
"Exactly. Everything Danny has ever known, and needs is in Amity Park. He belongs here Mel. Just like I do. I want to raise my family here just like I was. That's not going to change anytime soon. Richard just doesn't understand. He was never attached to where he grew up, not like we are. I don't think that Danny would cope if he moved away from his family and his home," Jazz continued as she put another bowl on the draining board. Melinoe grabbed a tea towel and started drying the dishes, leaving them to one side for Jazz to put away as she didn't know where they belonged.
Melinoe contemplated what Jazz said before she couldn't help wonder what happened between her mother and Danny. Melinoe could understand Danny wanting to stay in his home but she didn't understand why her mother would if things had ended so badly between her and Danny. Melinoe knew that Sam hadn't been born in Amity Park. Her grandparents moved to the town while Sam was young.
"Why did my mom stay then?" Melinoe blurted out.
"I don't know what you mean?" Jazz replied with a confused frown, handing a dripping but clean bowl to the teen.
"You said Danny wants to stay in Amity Park because this is his home. It's all he's ever known. But my mom wasn't born here. Why would she stay in Amity Park and raise me here? It's not exactly the safest place with ghosts attacking pretty much daily. And if things ended badly between my mom and Danny, why would she want to live here?" Melinoe elaborated.
"You know about Sam and Danny?" Jazz asked in surprise.
"Richard told me before dinner," Melinoe admitted.
"I'm not sure that was Richard's decision," Jazz grumbled with a frown before shaking her head.
"I don't know Sam's reasons for sure. We haven't spoken since she and Danny went their separate ways. I think Tucker was the only one who kept in contact with both of them. But I do know that Sam always felt out of place before she moved here and befriended Danny and Tucker. Maybe she feels similarly to Danny. This is her home and she didn't want to leave. As for Amity Park not being safe, general crime isn't high in Amity Park, not like other towns. Yes, there are ghosts but over the years, the town has built defences to protect its citizens," Jazz answered.
"Why is it a big deal I know about my mom and Danny?" Melinoe wondered as she accepted another bowl.
"It's not. But if Sam or Danny didn't tell you then they could have their reasons. It was a… difficult time for Danny, and I can only imagine it was the same for Sam. They were together for a long time. It was serious. Then one day, they weren't together, and Sam was dating other guys. Danny never told me what happened and after a while I just gave up asking. We all did. But I don't think he ever got over Sam. He hasn't dated any other girls since," Jazz explained with a shrug before pulling the large pot she cooked the stew in into the full sink. Melinoe frowned in confusion. It seemed that no one knew what happened between Sam or Danny but them.
"I know what you're thinking. I wouldn't ask Danny about it. He hasn't spoken about it to me or Tucker or our parents in sixteen years. I highly doubt he'll suddenly share the entire story with you Mel," Jazz added before draining the sink and taking the tea towel from Melinoe.
"Go sit in the living room. I can manage from here," Jazz concluded with a smile. Melinoe flashed her a smile in return before joining Danny and Richard in the living room, Rusty trailing behind her.
Danny and Richard were watching a quiz show in the living room. Melinoe decided to sit on the opposite end of the couch with Danny. Rusty wagged his tail at the man and threatened to jump up. Without turning away from the television, Danny held up a hand before clicking his fingers and pointed to the blanket beside him. Rusty slumped in disappointment but obeyed. Melinoe stared at the dog in shock, he was never so well behaved for her.
"What is the tallest waterfall in the world?" the presenter called on the television.
"Angel Falls," Danny answered lazily. Melinoe blinked at the man with surprise when a contestant on the show called the same answer and was correct.
"What is the deepest lake in America?" the presenter asked.
"Crater Lake," Danny replied and was once again correct.
"What is the brightest star called?" the presenter continued.
"Sirius," Danny yawned.
"I still don't understand how you did so badly in school," Richard muttered with a shake of his head when the presenter announced the correct answer to be Danny's yet again.
"I'm a terrible student. Not dumb," Danny retorted with a shrug.
"You shouldn't be surprised that Danny's bright. He did get on the cover of Genius Magazine," Jazz remarked as she joined them, easing herself into the seat between Danny and Melinoe.
"That was pure luck Jazz. I was a stupid kid who got into the gorilla pen at the zoo and realised that the zookeepers never checked if Sampson was actually male," Danny commented dismissively.
"Okay, maybe that was. But when you applied yourself you did well at school," Jazz conceded. Danny shrugged and grunted uncaringly.
A perplexed frown made its way onto Melinoe's face. Danny was a mystery to her. He seemed to want to succeed and yet couldn't keep a job and did badly in school. He was obviously intelligent and yet didn't get the grades for college. He had been in a serious relationship with her mother and yet Melinoe had only ever seen the man once in her life on a chance meeting. She knew she was missing something, but she didn't know where to even look for the answer as to what.
The foursome watched television for another hour or so before Jazz spotted Melinoe yawning beside her and noticed her husband dozing in his armchair. Jazz nudged her brother who turned his bored gaze away from yet another quiz show and smirked when he spotted the others getting tired.
"I'm getting pretty tired Jazz, maybe we should turn in for the night," Danny called, winking at his sister conspiratorially. Jazz giggled at him before agreeing and getting up with a grunt, hindered by her swollen stomach, Danny held up a hand in case Jazz lost her balance before dropping it when she made her way over to Richard.
"Come on Richard. Bedtime," she thrilled and pulled his hand towards the door. Richard yawned and followed his wife to the door before turning back to Danny.
"Rusty sleeps in here. Don't let him on the couch," Richard ordered. Danny rolled his eyes.
"Night Richard. Sweet dreams to you too," Danny retorted sarcastically. Richard frowned at his brother-in-law before scaling the stairs to his bedroom with Jazz.
"Go ahead Mel. Get some shut eye. You're safe here," Danny encouraged when Melinoe didn't move. She chewed her lip before sighing in disappointment.
"I had hoped to hear back from Danny Phantom before I went to bed," she admitted. Danny blinked before nodding in understanding.
"Ghosts can lose track of time Mel. And it'll take time for him to chase all his leads and get back here to give you a progress report. Besides, he might have gotten distracted by different ghosts causing trouble. But I'm sure he'll be back soon with an update for you," Danny assured. Melinoe sighed sadly before getting to her feet.
"If Rusty gets restless, come get me. He usually sleeps in my room with me," Melinoe confessed before reluctantly leaving the room. She popped into the kitchen and after a brief search of the cupboards found a glass which she filled from the tap. She gulped it down before putting it in the sink.
"Oof! Rusty, you're too big for that now," Danny complained and Melinoe peeked into the room to spot Danny settling down in blankets on the couch with Rusty sitting on him. Danny huffed in defeat.
"Fine, but don't let Richard catch you," Danny groaned before he shuffled back and gave the dog some space. Melinoe frowned in confusion before scaling the stairs to her given room and settled down for the night.
The end of the day but not the mysteries. But hopefully Melinoe can find some answers the next day.
Not much to say about this chapter but let me know what you guys think of the story so far and any theories on what might happen.
Until the next chapter.