~Chapter 2~
The next morning, after the twins had been fed and changed, Sam woke to her own stomach growling irately. It was only then that she realized two things: she was starving and there were three balloons tied together beside her bed. Danny wasn't even up yet. It was to be expected; not only was he a teenager, but he had stayed up with Sam, probably later than her. He was exhausted. Didn't change the fact that she wanted food, though.
She couldn't help but think twice about eating. Her stomach was so sore from giving birth and she hadn't had much time to recover yet. It was the same soreness that kept her from waking Danny and asking him to get her food. Might seem a little rude, but hey, she had just given birth. To two babies. She was tired, hungry, and tired and hungry.
It took some time, but after about an hour of being awake, it finally dawned on her that she was a mother. Maybe she'd just been so tired before to realize it, but yes, she was a mother. The responsibilities of motherhood didn't hesitate to slap her in the face. She was here, now. She was a mother, forever. She had fretted over this before, but now that the twins had actually been born... Now it was all different. It was so new to her. Heck, she didn't know what she was doing! It wasn't exactly like she'd prepared for this her whole life!
She gently placed a hand on her flattened stomach, as if to assure herself that she was no longer pregnant. As to be expected, there was no movement. No kicks, punches, or hiccups. She sighed, but she wasn't quite sure why. She knew this day was coming; she'd known for a long time now, ever since the day that stupid pregnancy test turned up positive. That little positive sign had turned out to be two little positive signs. And now those two little positive signs were out of her belly. What was she going to do? She was way too young to parent two children. Yeah, she had Danny, and he was a great guy. But he wasn't the father and eventually the twins would figure that out when they discovered they didn't have ghost powers. At that moment, what would they think of their mother? They would love Danny forever and for always, but that was moreso because he could be their friend if nothing else. It wasn't like that for her. She was their mother and nothing on Earth could change that. Therefore, when they found out Danny wasn't their father, they would wonder who was. And because she would refuse to tell them, they would come to the false conclusion that she had gotten knocked up.
How would that make them feel? Sam didn't have the heart to do that to them. She wanted to say it would've been better if they were never born at all, but for some reason her mind scowled at her for even thinking that.
Danny woke up from the sunlight that now lit his face. He looked around and everything that had happened the day prior came rushing back to him. Sam had finally had the twins; he was finally a father. Well...sorta. It didn't really matter to him whether he was their biological dad or not, he was the one they would grow to look up to as a dad, and that was what counted. Just because they didn't share the same blood didn't mean for a second that he loved them any less. He would treat them as his own, even though that meant discipline and at necessary times tough love. But it also meant ice cream parlor visits and picnics. He had been looking forward to it since...well, he really didn't remember.
Immediately, he glanced over to check if Sam was awake yet. He was surprised to see that she was. He was going to greet her, wish her a good morning, but halted himself when he picked up on the distress she was emitting. She probably didn't even know how much it was showing. Scratch that, she probably didn't even know he was awake yet.
He pushed himself up off the chair and leaned on the plastic railing of her bed, using his crossed arms as support. "Something on your mind?"
She jumped. In that instant it became obvious that she had been too lost in her thoughts to notice him.
"Don't do that!" she yelled. The yelling part of it wasn't intentional, and it drew in the attention and concern of a nurse.
"Are you okay, miss?" a bashful-looking nurse peeped. She kept herself half-hidden behind the strong wooden door and refused to make eye contact.
"Uh, yeah. Sorry about that," Sam answered.
The nurse nodded and backed out of the room. The pair returned to their conversation immediately, on a much softer level.
"Is something on your mind?" the halfa repeated.
Sam rolled her eyes and gave him the sarcastic look that said nothing was wrong.
Unconvinced, he perked and eyebrow.
They held their positions for what was surely the longest time in history. The silence lingered thickly in the air, as if reigning over them. It was Danny who decided at last that the evil silence was to be shattered. It was Sam, after all, and he needed to know what was bothering her.
"Sam..." he coaxed. "You know I can see past that look."
She dropped the look immediately with that comment. The goth sighed and began telling him her concerns about the twins that were likely to arise in the distant future, and how when that day came she hadn't the slightest clue what to tell them or how to handle it. She told him everything, including what she assumed the twins would think of her as and why. She also had newer concerns, like what color hair they would have, what school they would attend, what foods they might possibly be allergic to, and most importantly, how two teenagers that hadn't even finished school were going to manage to provide for two young children. Even a subconscious concern squirmed out at the end; her parents. What were they going to think of her? What would they think of the twins? Would she ever even hear from them again? Would they let her see them again? Did they know about the babies' birth yet? There were just too many questions Sam was throwing at the poor guy; he couldn't even keep up with all of them!
Danny had caught most of what Sam said, but it still didn't prevent the sheer impact of shock that came with hearing Sam talk about her parents. This was the first time she'd so much as mentioned them since they threw her out. After that, she hadn't talked to them, visited them, or even thought about them. Well, the thought part of it was uncertain, being as Danny couldn't exactly read the goth's mind. He read her emotions and body language pretty well, but he'd give up just about anything to read her mind.
Gosh... To suddenly hear her parents being brought up... And after all this time... He had yet to forgive them for what they did to their own daughter. He couldn't understand why or how Sam could still care about them. Nevertheless, she was absolutely right. Her parents had no knowledge whatsoever of the babies or what happened after she'd been kicked out. They still thought he was the real dad!
Originally, he was planning to wait for her rant to come to a stop, and then plant a kiss on her cheek to be all romantic and mushy, like he knew she loved. Despite being a goth, Sam had her tender side that she had few times shown. And she'd only shown her vulnerability to him. He was her confidant. Now that plan was totally ruined.
As Danny tried to sort his thoughts and decide what to do or say next, Sam waited impatiently for an answer. She was just fifteen; she still needed and wanted guidance. She wanted to know what she should do now.
Probably seven long minutes passed by, the slowest minutes ever, before Danny had collected his bearings. He took a deep breath and blinked. No matter how much he thought about it, the shock of her parents just wouldn't wear off.
"Uh, well, you said they didn't know that the baby was actually twins. They also don't know anything about the twins' birth. And frankly, you haven't called them in forever. So...you know, why don't you call them now and tell them everything?" he suggested.
Although she already knew he was probably going to say that, her eyes widened at the thought of it. The fact that after all this time, she'd actually sat there and blurted out numerous mentions of her parents, well, it sent her own brain into overdrive. It was a big deal. In fact, it was unnerving. Not like she could run away from all her problems, but she didn't want to call them and tell them. It'd be easier if someone else... She sighed in frustration. who was she kidding? It wouldn't be easier!
She could just imagine her parent fuming at her even as they watched her, still in a considerable amount of pain, laying in the hospital bed. she could see it now; her parents chiding her for everything she'd done, her father screaming his lungs out at Danny for something he never actually did, her mother seeing the twins and scowling... Oh...the list just went on and on...
"No... I'm already exhausted as it is. I don't think I have the strength to deal with them right now," she told Danny.
"I don't think you'll have to deal with them if you told them everything," he replied. He didn't give her a chance to say a single word before adding, "And I mean everything everything."
She gasped involuntarily. H-how could he even bring that up at a time like this? EVERYTHING EVERYTHING? No way! No! Sam didn't realize it, but her face heating up with renewed rage, and Danny was realizing what he'd just done. And boy did he regret it. Sam tell her parents EVERYTHING EVERYTHING... Argh! It wasn't going to happen!
"Danny! Darn it! Augh! No! I...! I-I..." The goth found herself unable to talk about it and despite her efforts of courage, couldn't so much as fumble for the right words. There simply weren't any words left in her. What had truly happened...what had really happened to get her pregnant wasn't ever Danny, it was the simple fact that she was female. If she hadn't been born a girl, none of this would ever have happened. She would still live with her parents, she would still be living the life of a normal teenager, and she wouldn't have all these scars on her body. It was all one stroke of bad luck that led to nothing but misfortune and misery.
It didn't take long for the halfa to try calming her down. Her rage was morphing rapidly into despair.
"Hey, c'mon, Sam. You know how I am. Clueless, remember?" he said, nervously chuckling at his timely reference to "Clueless 1". It didn't have much of an effect on Sam. It might've helped, but it definitely didn't finish its job. He quickly added, "I'm sure your parents won't give you a hard time, even if they don't know everything everything. You could just tell them everything instead, you know. O-Or you don't have to talk to them at all. How about this! You do whatever you think is best. Hah? Whadya say?"
Sam held up her index finger and motioned for him to come closer. As soon as he followed her instructions and leaned over the railing to hear whatever it was she had to say, she swiftly grabbed the collar of his shirt. He jerked at the unexpected action, but refrained from pulling her over the railing. She pulled him ever so gently close to her face. The horrible look on her face was gone, replaced by one of tenderness and care. It was one of her most charming faces, and one she revealed to Danny and only Danny. He had earned that face, that side of her that he never knew she had. He had, after all, on several occasions proven himself worthy of it. Even now he refused to move, knowing that she wanted him to stay there until she decided what to do with him.
The young couple had created a bond of unbreakable friendship over the course of so many years. When they were little kids, they never would've fathomed that their friendship would grow stronger and stronger, until it surpassed the relationship between her and Tucker and became some thing so much more, so much better, something that they had denied for years. She didn't know when exactly it started, but one day the things she found in him that were lame and provoking became adorable, attractive, and charming. It was amazing at that moment, because it was as if she woke up one day and suddenly loved Danny, her best friend. The more he did those stupid, irritating things, the more she wanted to be with him. He was unique, different from the rest. He was protective of both her and Tucker, but one day he had started getting angry when Sam began looking at other guys. She hadn't noticed it right away, granted, but eventually she caught on. Many times she had tried to slip him little discreet hints that she liked him, but he was completely oblivious, too hung up on Paulina to notice anything beyond the guys flirting with Sam.
It was with these sweet thoughts in mind the goth pulled Danny even closer. Danny was good to her. He never treated her like crap, unlike many of the students in their school. When he learned she was pregnant, he stayed right by her side, through thick and thin. No matter what she did, he kept on loving her. No matter where she went, he kept on following her. No matter how much danger she managed to get in, he kept on protecting her. He chased away her worst nightmares. He did nothing but try to make her happy. He cared about her and the twins above all else.
She took it upon herself to travel the rest of the distance until she reached his lips. He'd been halfway expecting it. It was actually pretty funny, the new power she held over him. By now they could be considered a couple, and she already thought of herself as belonging to Danny. Normally, she'd say that she didn't belong to anyone, but if that person was Danny, then she could just as easily take it back. She wanted him to put a stamp on her, she wanted him to acknowledge her as his, she wanted him to mark her as taken by him.
She'd discovered after a short period of time that as soon as she started the kiss, the halfbreed had passionately returned it. He was careful not to be too rough, and made sure Sam was equally enjoying it.
The kiss, along with their bubble, was broken as the door opened again. They had only enough time to part and catch their breath before they were both in full view of Maddie and Jack. Jazz had school today, and her teachers were relentless. She wouldn't be able to come.
"Hi sweeties!" Maddie squealed.
Jack noticed his son was leaning over the railings of the hospital bed. "Son, what exactly are you doing?"
The halfa peered down at Sam, blushed, and then smiled nervously. "G'yah... You know me, Dad, I'm just...you know, trying to get comfortable. Hey, did you know the best way to stretch your hamstrings is by leaning over the bed rails?"
"Uh...huh..." his mother sighed sarcastically.
The rest of the day was going to be long and hard, the couple just knew it. And then to think that the babies were going to be one in just a year...
Hoo boy.
A/N
WOO-HOO! Feelin' top notch today! And it works out for you guys because you get to read this mushy, gummy-bear-soft piece of crap! WOO! Haha, just messing with you. Seriously, how do you like the story so far? If you get confused in about four or five more chapters, just take a little glance back at the epilogue of Flowers Will Bloom. And keep in mind that I DID mention that it would not be shown in this story because I feel there was enough angsty stuff in that story to last you for another five years. But, hey, if you want more angst, why, you're more than welcome to read it again.
Anyway, just like last story, I'm going to have a review thing going on here. I'll continue if I get thirty-one (31) reviews. Judging by how many I got on the first chapter, which was twenty reviews exactly, I highly doubt this is too much. Or at least I hope not. :P
THANK YOU FOR YOUR AWESOME REVIEWS! YOU ALL ROCK SO MUCH!
Right, now that I got that out of my system, your review replies (you earned 'em ;D):
DXSGirl123- Wow, so you had to tell me in all caps, huh? XD Just joking! Thanks for the support! ;) I'll need it.
SonOfLucifer- Oh, sorry about that. If you have any suggestions, please feel free to tell me.
Codiak- Mah... STUPID CELL! If you're getting a new number, tell me. No wonder you didn't return my texts! Haha! I'm all better now. :P Feeling kinda writing-hyper right now actually.
Looka'sMagicHell- Yayz for the happy dance! XD You don't know my immunity to illness, do you? I like NEVER get sick! Up until that day, I hadn't been sick in three years. ;D New CMF record! Yeah, I vow to finish this story, too.
RainingHearts4Ever- Hey, cute new profile picture! Yap! Da sequel, just as promised.
MariaPhantom8998- Ah, I don't think it was that good; but I'm not changing it because I don't want to risk messing up the work that I've finally gotten down. Well, I plan on it being just as good but not better; the original is usually better than the sequel anyway. Plus, I don't want to drown out the Flowers Will Bloom since it was my best work ever. :D I'm so proud of it! Thank you!
DannySamLover20- I will; I'm going to keep this story going until the end!
Lucifers. Angel. 93- Okay, forgive the spaces, but I figured out that fanfiction counts your username as a website due to all the dots. It's the only way to show your name. I'll try to, but I don't want to make any guarantees yet.
swiftie13- *takes balloon* Aw. No one's ever given me a get-well balloon over the internet before. D'aw, I feel so special!
DXSF-Thanks!
Skye of the Night- lolz! Yeah, probably. I was shocked that my first chapter, so short, got twenty reviews!
emoluv4ever- Aw, thanks! I'm both flattered and honored!
Titansgirl-otherstuff- XD The evil forced of illness? Yeah... Where DID all that come from? XD
Thephantomprince- lolz, and I can tell you reviewed all the chapters too. Haha! Just kidding. Glad you read it! Frankly I thought the first chapter could've been better, a little more detailed, you know? But I guessed it turned out okay.
ChristinCC- Thank you!
memo- Yeah, sorry about that... If you want me to change it, I'm open to suggestions.
Gracie407- Tsk tsk tsk, not telling. XD You'll be surprised!
shadowspecter13- T_T I know! I got sick and right when I was almost done I went trick-or-treating and got sick again! CURSE YOU COLD WEATHER!
DPchick- Thanks, I'm feeling better now.
DPraven- Can't tell ya; if I did, it would ruin the story.
Um, okay, so you guys know what I said up above, right? Well, I went trick-or-treating and got sick AGAIN and right when I was almost done writing you guys' review replies. Sorry about that. I chose the wrong time to get sick. This chapter was also delayed by one of my teachers. I have to write a story for her. I ALSO had to write a story that I hope can be submitted to a writing contest. Supposedly that could win me TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS in scholarship! :D I'm so frikin excited! Of course it was like twenty-four pages long, so that would be why it took awhile. Plus there's my other schoolwork, and then I have to renew my muse for this story. Alot of stuff happening right now and I'm not sure when the next chapter will come out.
AHEM! PLEASE READ THIS! Many of you think that the title was depressing and I'm sure it's led you to believe that someone will die. I didn't want this effect on you guys, so I want to change the title. However, I want it to be a title that you guys like, because you are my beloved reviewers/readers. GIVE ME AS MANY SUGGESTIONS AS YOU CAN AND SEE WHICH ONE MAKES IT TO THE TITLE!
*Go fast because fanfiction is being a jerk right now. (Anyone notice that I ALWAYS seem to have problems with this site?)