Hurting You, Killing Me

Chapter Seven:

Johnny's POV:

After having the papers signed, Kitty and I decided that it would be best to wait until Christmas and surprise her, seeing as Christmas was only a few weeks away. Kitty and I were planning on spoiling her, saving the adoption papers as the last present she opened.

Of course, we didn't think about the Christmas treaty or the fact that every ghost would be at the big party on Christmas eve. I had never really liked going to those parties, but Kitty always talked me into it.

Kitty and I had gone shopping for her presents a few weeks before and, as expected, we were going to spoil her. I even managed to find a bracelet with a motorcycle charm on it; it was dainty and silver, and I hoped she would like it.

Like usual, I tried to get out of going to the Christmas party. "Kitty, we go every year and it's always the same thing," I said, sprawled out of the sofa while Kitty braided Danielle's hair.

"Johnny, Danielle's never been to one of these. If she doesn't like it, we'll leave early, I promise."

I lifted my head off the arm of the sofa and looked over to my girls. Danielle was wearing a white high-necked dress with a red lace collar and a pair of black high-heeled boots. Kitty had gone back to humming while she braided. I couldn't help but smile, "Alright," I sighed.

Once Danielle's hair was finished, Kitty handed her a black jacket, and we went out to the garage. Kitty and I placed Danielle between us and we took off the the party.

It was already in full swing by the time we arrived and almost everyone was there. There was punch and eggnog, snacks, and lots of loud music. Some people were dancing, some were lounging on the couches and beanbag chairs. Danielle scooted a bit closer to me and Kitty as we walked in.

I spotted Skulker and Ember sitting on a couch on one side of the room and led Danielle and Kitty over to them. Once we got there, I saw that Youngblood, Spectra, and Bertrand were also there. Ember stood up and walked over to us, leaning in to me and Kitty. "Heads up, Danny and Sam got here just a few minutes ago." She glanced over to the other side of the room. I looked over and saw Danny, in ghost form, with Sam on his arm, wearing a black dress. They were talking to Pandora. Danny caught eyes with me; I shot him a glare and looked away, wrapping my arm around Danielle and pulling her to my side.

I really hoped that Danny was smart enough to keep his distance, because I wasn't completely opposed to breaking the Christmas treaty if he thought it would be a good idea to say something to hurt her. After a little bit, Danielle struck up a conversation with Youngblood and strayed away from us. I kept an eye on her, making sure she didn't go too far away from us or get too close to Danny.

It was starting to get late and Youngblood, being younger than Danielle, was starting to get tired. He, we learned, was staying with Ember. He came over and leaned against her shoulder, until finally, she sighed and decided it was time to get him home to his pirate ship.

Kitty by the punch bowl, talking to Spectra, so Danielle came to sit beside me. I shot a glance across the room to where Danny and Sam were sitting, talking to Walker. Danny looked at me and turned away. He whispered something to Sam, who looked pissed off, then he stood up and walked over.

"Shit," I muttered under my breath. Skulker shot me a look, but I shook my head. Danny stopped in front of us, but he seemed like he was in shock. He stared at Danielle for a moment, then seemed to gather his thoughts.

"Merry Christmas, Danielle," he said, his voice barely louder than a whisper.

Danielle looked up at me, then looked at Danny. I was impressed by her, the way she looked him straight in the eye, the way her voice stayed loud and strong, "Merry Christmas, Danny."

Danny rubbed the back of his neck and looked down, then reached into his pocket and pulled out a small red box. He thrust it awkwardly toward her and she reached out to take it. "Here. It's not a big deal, so just...open it when you get...home."

"Thanks," Danielle said, slipping the box into her jacket pocket.

Danny stood there for another awkward moment, before nodding at me and Skulker, and walking back to Sam.

Skulker looked at me, raising his eyebrows, and I just rolled my eyes. I was a little bit worried about whatever might be in that box. I noticed Danielle was getting sleepy, so I stood up. "Honey, you wait here with Skulker for a minute, I'm going to get Kitty, so that we can leave."

Danielle nodded and I walked over to Kitty, "Hey," I said, interrupting the conversation she was in with Spectra. "Danny just gave Danielle a present."

"What?" Kitty asked, her jaw dropping slightly.

"He told her to open it when we got home."

"Well, did he say anything else?"

"No, but she's getting tired. I think we should get her home."

Kitty nodded, "You're right. Bye Spectra."

"Bye, guys," Spectra replied.

I walked over to where I'd left Danielle with Skulker to find her half asleep, slouched against him. I laughed at his expression as I lifted her up into my arms. "Time to go home," I told her.

I said goodbye to Skulker and the three of us went home. When we got to the lair, Danielle sat down on the couch and took the box out of her pocket. She sighed, fiddling with the ribbon, "I guess I should open it..."

"You don't have to if you don't want to," I said, shrugging.

Kitty sat down beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder, "You might as well open it and get it over with."

Danielle pulled the ribbon, letting it fall beside her on the couch. Very slowly, she lifted the lid and pulled out a small ice crystal heart. Danny had obviously made it with his ice powers. She held it up to the light and it sparkled, throwing out small rainbows.

"Pretty," Kitty commented.

"Yeah..." Danielle agreed, her eyebrows creasing. She held the crystal closer to her face, then shook her head and dropped it into her lap, rolling her eyes disgustedly.

"What is it, sweetheart?"

"He engraved the word love into it," she said.

I looked at Kitty, hoping that she would handle this, seeing how I didn't trust myself to talk without blowing up about Danny. "At least it was nice gesture," Kitty said.

"I guess. I'm going to go to bed," Danielle replied. She stood up and hugged both me and Kitty goodnight. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas, Danielle, we love you."

Danielle walked down the hall to her bedroom. I turned off the lights in the living room, leaving only the Christmas tree lights on, and sat down beside Kitty.