Life's Full of Little Surprises
Disclaimer: I own absolutely none of the 'Mighty Duck' characters or the rights to the "Mighty Duck" franchise, that honor belongs to Disney. So I would appreciate that I wouldn't get sued over something I don't own.
Summary: Dani's life couldn't be going better. She has finally made it to the Olympics, doing the sport she loves the most. But... after arriving in Minneapolis, Minnesota things change. First she is constantly badgered by her brother, then she falls for one of his friends, and, of course, there is always a stalker!
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BrokenAngel1753- Dean Portman giving advice on how to be an older brother. Does anyone else see the irony in that? He's a big baby himself! Well, I'm glad that you agree with me, that would be some strange advice. I hope that you like what happens next!
mdgirl18- I always thought that Adam would make a good big brother. I'm happy that you agree! THANKS!
Dragon Tamer Ruth- Did I pique interest with my last author note? Well, I sure hope I did, that was the reason for putting it there! I hope that what happens meets what you had in mind as 'got to be good'.
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Adam and Monica had finally left the refuge of Adam's bedroom, only because they had to at least say something to their parents before they left for dinner. Monica was much less cooperative about this, but she followed Adam when he promised that he wouldn't ditch her and run back to the safety of his room. They made their way down the stairs as their parents and their parents friends got up to leave.
"Adam, Monica. It's nice to know that you two are still alive." Philip Banks said tartly. He never really approved of them staying away from his friends and co-workers.
"Philip!" His wife, Corrine, scolded. She was much more lenient about what her children did or didn't do when they had guests. She didn't let them raise hell, or anything of that nature, but she didn't mind if they wanted to stay out of the way.
"Hello, everybody." Adam said, knowing that Monica was going to stay silent as long as possible, "Have fun at dinner." Monica nodded.
Everyone graciously replied in some form or another. "Adam, Monica, make sure that you pick up everything in your rooms. And don't let the movie marathon get out of control, Adam. I'm trying to keep everything clean for when we see Jamie again." Corrine said as she helped her husband get into his tweed coat.
"Actually," Adam said timidly, "I've already seen Jamie." Both of his parents stopped dead, "He came over to Eden Hall the first day he was here. He was going to come over for the movie marathon."
"And you didn't tell us?" He father asked incredulously.
"Philip! He's coming over tonight?" Corrine asked. Adam nodded, "Oh, I see. Well, maybe he'll stay long enough to... What on Earth?" She finished. At that moment loud music coming from what sounded like a very expensive car stereo system lingered near the house for a moment and stopped. Everyone raced to the front of the house to see what was happening. Nosy rich people.
However, outside, Jamie's internal debate was starting to get the best of him. "Baby? What's the matter?" Thalia asked as Jamie stared at his parents house. He took a deep breath and moved to turn the car on again, Thalia stopped him, "No, if not for you, for your brother and sister. You know you've missed them, at the very least."
"Damn! Dragon grew up with swag written all over him."
"Shut up, Demon!" Jamie hissed as he turned in his seat and slapped his friend about the head and any other part he could reach. "I have enough to worry about." Jamie looked towards his house again, "Oh my god! I picked the day that they were going out to dinner!" Jamie sighed heavily and banged his head on the back of his chair.
"Hey, Dragon, we're here for you."
"Thanks, Petals." Jamie replied looking at the back of his BMW. Ava, Cara, and Rob were sitting there with looks of encouragement on their faces. Thalia was sitting next to him, her fingers laced with his, her newly purchased engagement ring was rubbing against his skin. "Better sooner rather then later." Jamie mumbled as he got out of his car.
"Hey Jamie!" Adam called from next to the group of rich and stuffy adults. Jamie internally smiled when he saw the looks of indignant shock that were making their way onto his father's face. His mother, however, looked ready to cry.
"Hi Adam. Mom, Dad." He said.
"Oh, Jamie!" His mother cried out as she lunged toward him and pulled him into a breath-taking hug. Literally breath-taking. As in, she was squeezing so hard that he couldn't breathe! Jamie tried to speak, but couldn't. After a few moments of tapping his mother on the shoulder, she figured it out, "Oh, sorry, son." She said.
"Jamie?" A tiny voice asked. Jamie looked behind Adam and saw Monica. "Squirt? Man she got big! No duh, stupid. You haven't seen her since she was six!' "Jamie!" Monica exclaimed as she ran up to him and jumped into a hug.
Once Jamie put Monica down, his father's good friend and accountant, Albert Sandage spoke up, "Well, Jamison, you have changed."
"I like to think for the better Mr. Sandage." Jamie said as politely as possible. Not exactly an easy feat, as Jamie had never liked this man, and the feeling was completely mutual. "Mom, Dad. If you have the time, I have some people with me that I would like you to meet."
"Oh, we have time!" Corrine said, Philip looked at his wife disbelievingly. "Why doesn't everyone go ahead and we meet up with them. We have to wait for Marissa and Ana, anyway." Marissa was, of course, Marissa Simmons. Mother of Monica's best friend and the 'fun' parent. No wonder Monica liked going to Ana's so much. Mrs. Simmons actually did things with the girls.
"Why not." Philip said. He was seriously trying to not freak out. "I suppose we have time. Why don't you all go ahead, we'll meet you there." Everyone nodded and went in a different direction to there respective cars. Once they were all gone Philip continued, "So who is it that you would like us to meet?"
Jamie turned to his car and beckoned all of his friends out. They came, but the girls had to do a bit of persuading of the poor soul known as Robert 'Demon' Kinsley. Persuading in the form of ear pulling and head slapping. "Mom, Dad, Monica, I want all of you to meet Robert Kinsley, Ava Langston, and Cara and Thalia Li." Thalia laced her fingers back with Jamie's. He pulled her hand up and kissed it, causing Adam to notice a big change.
"That wasn't there yesterday, was it?" Adam asked, staring directly at Thalia's engagement ring. "Or am I just going crazy?"
"No, you aren't." Thalia replied. Now the parents noticed it. "Pleasure to meet you both." Thalia said, a small smile tugging threateningly at the corners of her mouth. But she had a good reason, the look in the faces of Philip and Corrine Banks were priceless!
Jamie looked down as Monica tugged on his arm, "I like her," Monica said, indicating Thalia, "She's pretty." Thalia looked flattered.
"And I like her!" Thalia replied, Monica smiled, "You never told me your sister was such a sweetie." Now Monica's smile became pride.
"Monica!" A voice called from the street. Ana was sitting in her mother's Porsche, waving for Monica to join them, "Come on!" Monica ran back into the house, grabbed her overnight bag, and ran off with a goodbye for everyone, and an I love you for Adam and Jamie. Ouch, that one had to hurt the parents.
Once Monica was out of sight, Philip started up again, "I'd truly love to stay, but we have a very important dinner to get to." Philip got into his car without another word. Corrine kissed her son's on the cheek, said it was nice to meet Jamie's friends, and followed her husband to the car.
Once they were gone, Ava spoke, "They hate us, don't they, Dragon?" Everyone agreed with Ava.
"Hate? That's a strong word." Jamie said, "But probably not too strong for my dad. For mom, shocked and confused would be better terms." Then Jamie let out a little laugh, "But, honestly, I never cared what they thought."
"Yeah, we know." Adam said, "You five feel free to do anything you want until the Ducks get here, I'm taking a shower."
"Oh, yes." Jamie said, turning on the joke-meter he had in his head, "You have to get all nice and clean and kissable for Dani!" Adam stopped with his back towards Jamie for a moment and blushed before walking back into his house.
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At four, Connie and Julie had cornered Dani at Eden Hall. Now Dani was sitting in Mrs. Moreau's car, listening to Julie and Connie chatter about how Dani should sit next to Adam while they watched their movies. "Cons, Jules, what do you think will happen? Do you think that we will completely disregard the movie and passionately make-out the whole, entire time?"
"That's a thought." Connie said conspiratorially to Julie.
"Constance Jayne Moreau!" Mrs. Moreau spat out, looking at Connie in the rear-view mirror. Connie sunk into her chair and stared back at her mom. "Stay down there and shush!" Connie glared at her mom when she looked away. "Well, here we are. Have fun girls. It was nice to meet you Dani."
"It was a pleasure to meet you, as well, Mrs. Moreau." Dani replied as she, Connie, and Julie exited the car. Julie walked to the door and knocked, "When did your mom said she would pick us up, Connie?"
"11:30." Connie said when Jamie opened the door, "Hey Jamie."
"Hello, ladies." Jamie said, "Come in." He moved out of the way and allowed them to come in, "Yo! Adam, get down here!" Jamie called up the stairs. No answer, "Man, this is your movie marathon."
"Jamie," Adam called as he walked down the stairs, "if you haven't noticed, I'm a little busy!" And he sure was. When Dani, Julie, and Connie looked over in Adam's direction, they saw that he had a towel over his head and covering his eyes, and was wearing nothing but his boxers! Jamie and his friends were holding in laughter, Dani was in complete shock, and Connie and Julie were shaking their heads and laughing silently.
"We can see that, Adam." Julie said. Adam froze for a moment and then got the sense to remove his towel from his head. Then he froze again.
"Excuse me." Adam said in a breathless voice as he ran up the stairs and back into his bedroom.
Dani was still staring in the direction of Adam's bedroom. Connie noticed and put her arm around Dani's shoulder and fannedher with her hand, "Dani, did you enjoy that?"
"Yes, actually, I did." Dani replied.
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Once Adam was fully dressed, he finally made his way down to meet the Ducks, all of whom were there by that time. "So, Dan. What are you going to make us watch, you sadistic little freak, you." Dean asked when everyone was sitting around the Banks' living room.
Dani smiled and pulled out a movie in a very old looking case, "John Carpenter's Vampires." Dani said with a smile. And, then there was the collective squeal of happiness from Thalia, Cara, and Ava that broadened it.
"Okay, this is going to seem weird, but I have to hug you now." Thalia said walking across the room, "Because that is my favorite movie in the entire world." Cara threw a pillow at her, "Okay, our favorite. I like this kid." Dani smiled even more. "So, babe, you got any movie food around here?"
"Cake-eater, you know you have tons of popcorn stashed in the highest cabinet in that snazzy kitchen of yours." Jesse said, throwing a large pillow at Adam's head and hitting him perfectly.
"You guys still call him that?" Jamie asked as Adam got up, rubbing his head, and left to get popcorn. Everyone nodded, "I still don't understand what the heck that means."
"You ain't the only one there, dear." Dani said. Jamie shrugged and turned on the television to get to the right channel. "Wait, go back!" Dani called out, Jamie obeyed.
On the television was a special on past Winter Olympic Games and the winter sports in general. By the time Jamie had gotten to the channel it was on, Figure Skating was the current topic of conversation. "Now, personally, I would have loved to see Alyssa Nazario go to the Games in the late '70's and early '80's. But that STUPID James Tobas! I hate him!" One of the host said angrily.
"He's a moron. Hey, Tobas, newsflash, there are a hell of a lot of protective men in that girl's life! You weren't getting anywhere!" Another host said to the camera. "Although, she had great taste in men. I mean, did you see who she was dating at the time?"
"Yeah, she married him." The other host said, "Still together, I think."
"Hell, yes, they are!" Dani said. She looked to Dean to shed some light on what they were watching, but he looked just as confused as Dani was. "Dean, are you as confused as yours truly?"
"Yeah. Did mom ever mention a James Tobas to you?" Dani shook her head no, and went back to watching.
"Dude! Alyssa Nazario is your mom!" Ken said, turning in his seat to talk to Dean and Dani, "I actually meet Alyssa Nazario? One of the greatest skaters in history?"
"Why does everyone know more about our family then us?" Dean asked, exasperated.
"That stupid James Tobas is the reason that one of the greatest, if not the greatest, doubles skating team went down the tube. If you don't get what I mean, watch this."
The screen was taken up by a video of a doubles team on the ice. One was unmistakable, she looked just like Dani, if not a few years older. The other was a complete mystery. Together, they skated perfectly. Lifts, jumps, spins, everything was nailed. Then once the song they were skating to came to an end, they did their final move, ending in the man kissing his partner, on the ice, in front of all the spectators and judges. When he pulled away, she did not look happy. It was more of a 'What the hell just happened?' look.
"Sad. Little bastard! You don't make-out with a women in front of that many people. Especially when she has a significant other!"
"Lucy! You got some 'splaining to do!" Dani said, eyes still glued to the television. "What the hell?"
"I loved her father's reaction!" The second host said, "He was so obviously pissed! Her brothers weren't helping matters, either. It was great." She laughed and leaned back in her chair, "I mean, her father already had a reputation for being rough. He was a member of the Italian Olympic Hockey Team in 1956. Gold metal winners." (FYI: The Russians really won the gold in Hockey in 1956, but for the purposes of this story, I'm changing the winners to Italy. Don't hate me, Russia!).
"Still confused." Dean said as he watched the screen turn black, announcing the end of the show, "Why is it that Mom and Dad never told us about this James Tobas guy."
"Oh, yeah. That's brilliant." Dani said in an icy tone, "'Hey kids, just so you know, when your mother skated, she had a loony for a partner and he pissed off your grandfather and uncles by kissing your mother in front of all the spectators and judges', think Dean. How would you answer to that?"
"Okay, so why would mom not tell us how good she was? Why didn't she tell us that she could have been an Olympian?" Dean snapped back.
"She told me. And she was an Olympian, but she backed out!" Dani replied, Dean looked at her with a hurt expression on his face, "She didn't want to tell me, I came across her name on the Internet and asked her about it."
"How did you know it was her?" Max asked.
"How many Alyssa Nazario's do you know that have ever skated for the United States?" Dani asked snappishly.
"Okay," Adam's voice called from the hallway that lead to his kitchen, "I have a load of popcorn and soda and... What did I miss?" He asked once he entered the room and sensed the tension between Dani and both Dean and Max. Dani shook her head. "Okay, should we start the movie?"
"Yes!" Everyone called, hoping to have the anger leave the room.
As everyone got comfortable, Dani noticed that he had a choice of where to sit. Either next to Adam, or at the feet of Max, Fulton, and Dean. No real dilemma there! Besides, Adam had popcorn. "Ladies and gentlemen," Thalia said as Jamie pressed the 'play' button in the remote, "this movie is not for the faint of heart." Dani laughed as she sat down next to Adam and took several pieces of popcorn.
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The biggest flaw that Dani possessed was the one that angered her the most. Every time that she got scared, she grabbed the nearest object, no matter what it was. This case was no exception. Dani had picked 'John Carpenter's Vampires', because she hadn't seen it in a while, so she had forgotten some parts of it. So, when a really scary scene that Dani didn't remember happened, while everyone screamed, she grabbed something. It just so happens that this time, that thing was Adam's knee! Dani flushed bright red, somewhat hidden by the darkness of the room, and looked down at her hand. Adam was looking in the same way, and he was red as well. Dani pulled her hand away, looked at Adam, and mouthed 'Sorry.', and Adam just shook his head, shaking what had happened off.
However, everyone had plenty to say when the movie was over, "Dani, I will never trust you with movies again!" Goldberg exclaimed as she took the movie back and placed it back in its case.
"I think I know something that will get our minds off of Valek." Connie said. Everyone looked at her with an expectant look on their faces, "Truth or Dare, Spin the Bottle?"
"Yeah, we'll let you kiddies do that." Jamie said as he turned from a sitting position on the couch to laying down and placed his hands behind his head.
"Kiddies?" Half the group asked.
"Yeah, kiddies. As in, if we joined in, it would be disturbingly wrong and almost illegal. Although, Demon, you can't get a girl our age. How about you join." Jamie said, jokingly.
"Man, I will..." Rob trailed off and began to attack Jamie. Jamie laughed as Rob began to attempt to beat him about the head. Thalia, Cara, and Ava just shook their heads.
"This is why I'm a lesbian." Cara said, "Men are so immature." Ava agreed and Thalia gave a look that implied that she agreed, "Y'all get on with your games, don't let them take away from your fun. My opinion is start with Truth or Dare and work your way to Spin the Bottle."
And they did, "I'm first," Connie said, "the game was my idea!" Everyone agreed. "Okay, Fulton, truth or dare?"
"Man!" Fulton exclaimed, "I'm always first. Fine, whatever, truth."
"Okay, how long have you had a crush on Tammy?" Fulton turned red and then shot Dani an evil look. Dani looked back and motioned for him to not blame her.
"Second grade." Fulton mumbled. There was a collective laugh about the group. "Leave me alone! Okay, next is Portman." Dean rolled his eyes and muttered truth, "Okay, dude, what is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you. And tell the truth, or Dani will set us straight." Dean looked over to Dani, who nodded.
"Most embarrassing?" Dean stated again, "Probably when Doe grabbed my shirt and kissed me in front of the whole freakin' school!" Everyone laughed, "And then I look over and see Dani handing him 10 bucks." Dani flipped her hair. "Okay, next is Julie, truth or dare?"
"Truth."
"Okay, when will you dump Scooter and go out with me?" Dani rolled her eyes.
"Never." Julie retorted. Dani laughed, "I see our next victim has been chosen." Dani raised her eyebrows expectantly, "Dani, truth or dare?"
"Well, considering all of you are being complete babies and picking truth, I'll be an individual and pick dare." Dani smiled.
"Dare? Really?" Julie placed her hand on her chin thoughtfully, "Simple yet complicated, simple yet complicated." Julie muttered, "I got it. Kiss Adam, that'll work." Dean and Max stopped on a dime and Adam's eyes grew to the size of his face.
"Excuse us." Dean said as he and Max stood up, "We're going to get more M&M's." Terry and Jesse tried to protest, pointing to the whole bowl of M&M's next to them, if only to irritate Dean, "I know!" Dean exclaimed as he stormed out of the room, Max followed, as did Fulton.
"Baby." Dani mumbled, "What a baby." With that, Dani turned to Adam and pressed her lips to his. 'Thank you, Jules.' Dani thought. Neither Dani nor Adam could comprehend time at the moment, but it didn't matter to them. Dani finally pulled away, if only to end the agony of her poor brother, "Potete ritornare dentro, voi morons!" (Italian: You can come back in, you morons!). Dean entered the room looking were surly. "Okay, next is Charlie." Charlie perked, "Truth or dare?"
"Dare." Charlie said with a smile.
"Dare? Hmm?" Dani said, "I dare you... to... put a whole tray of ice cubes down your pants. And keep them there until they melt." Laughs came from all around. Dani looked around as Jamie rushed into the kitchen at top speed and came back with an ice tray full of ice cubes. "You picked dare." Dani said to Charlie's incredulous expression.
Charlie grabbed the tray hesitantly and walked to the other side of the room. The cracking of ice was heard. Then, "Oh... cold! Cold." Charlie's shivers were meet with laughter and tears.
Charlie went to sit down, "No! You are not sitting on my mom's couch with wet pants!" Adam exclaimed, "You know where the bathroom is, go get a towel. A cheap one!" Charlie scowled and left the room.
"Okay, now that that unpleasant business is over with," Charlie said once he returned, "Goldie, truth or dare?" Goldberg continued to laugh and wipe tears from his eyes. "You're dead, Dani."
"Bring it on, babe." Dani said as she smiled and leaned back on the couch.
"Is anyone else bored of this?" Ken asked, "Let's do something else." Everyone agreed.
"Dani?" Connie asked
"Yes, Cons?" Dani replied.
"Right after you kneed McGill, you said that he must not be a 'big boy' because you didn't feel anything." Everyone turned their attention to Dani. Jamie had his eyebrows raised, "Were you being serious, or were you just trying to get under his skin more so then you already were?"
Dani smiled and laughed, "Honestly?" Connie nodded, "The boy had nothin'." The room was soon filled with howling laughter, "I'm being as serious as a heart attack. Nothing!" Dani made sure to enunciate every syllable of the last word to show that she wasn't joking. "So what else are we going to do?"
"Us?" Julie said, "Nothing, we have to leave." She pointed to the large grandfather clock on the other side of the room. It was 11:19. "Everyone else can watch another movie."
"Damn!" Connie exclaimed. Dani felt the same. "I am not going to sleep tonight."
"What?" Luis began, "Do you need Guy to come with and comfort you and chase away all the big bad vampires?" Everyone laughed, but not because of what Luis said. They laughed because Connie hit him in the head with the huge book of Monet paintings that belonged to Adam's mother.