Author's Note: This is great! I'm only two chapters away from the end of this story! Oh yeah!
AND, I can't believe I've got 80 reviews! A nice, round number.
Someone mentioned that they were sad, or that they felt for Moon when she died. To that I just have to say "wow." Most everyone was glad to see the end of her.
But, different people have different opinions, so I won't make a big deal out of it. On to the story!
Lovesick
Chapter Twenty-Two
Danny and Sam lay on the floor together, unconscious in Danny's warm blood. Danny was unconscious because of his blood loss; Sam, because of her exhaustion.
There was a scuffling of feet and then Maddie and Jack burst through the door, Jack sporting a black eye, Maddie's lip cut and bleeding.
Maddie looked around the room, her eyes quickly landing on her son and Sam. She and Jack quickly rushed across the room, and Maddie began to sob quietly when she noticed the dark pool of blood under Danny. Danny's arms were around Sam, who looked pale.
"Danny," Maddie called out, shaking her son awake.
Danny remained still.
Maddie tried again, louder this time. "Danny!"
Danny jolted awake. He looked at his mom and dad and smiled faintly. "She's gone. Moon's gone," he muttered.
"It's okay, Danny. It's okay," Maddie said, stroking his cheek gently.
"No. Check. Window. Now." Danny pointed a quivering finger towards the window.
Jack stood up and walked over to the control panel. He leaned over it, gazing out the window. He looked down and gasped when he saw Moon's broken body on the floor below.
"She's dead," Jack said in a mortified whisper to his wife.
"We need to get you some help, sweetie. Just hold on," Maddie said, tears rolling down her face.
"No...make sure...Sam...taken care of...first," Danny whispered.
"But you're-"
"Please."
Danny fell unconscious again. Maddie stood up and offered Jack an empty smile. If Danny wanted it, it would be done.
-DP-
Sam slowly opened her eyes. She could make out white walls and empty beds. She must be in a hospital ward. Suddenly, Sam was wide awake. Where was Danny?
Sam turned her head and felt relief wash over her as she saw Danny in a bed beside her, breathing deeply and normally. The screen next to him showed his heart rate, which seemed to be beating at a normal rate.
Sam sat up and slipped out of her bed. She walked over to Danny's and bent down, kissing him softly.
"Oh, Danny. I'm so sorry," Sam whispered.
"I'm glad to see you're feeling better," a voice said behind her.
Sam turned around to see Jack standing there, a sorrowful expression on his face.
"I'm so sorry, Jack! I never meant to hurt Danny, my grandmother made me! I love Danny so much, I never could have hurt him. Please, you've got to believe me! I just wanted to say I can understand if you don't. If you want to kill me, I understand that too. I deserve death after this," Sam said.
Jack smiled but shook his head softly. He walked beside her and sat down on one of the plastic chairs next to Danny's bed; Sam sat on the other.
"We're not going to kill you, Sam. Maddie and I have realized that Danny loves you—he risked his own life to save yours. Killing you would make his struggle seem worthless," Jack said.
Sam said nothing. She felt her eyelids start to droop and forced herself to stay awake. She wasn't going to pass out; not again.
"The—the doctor said he might not make it," Jack said, his voice choked up.
Sam turned to look at him, disbelief etched on her features. No, of course Danny would live! Jack had to be lying.
"No, he's not going to die," Sam said, refusing to believe it. She felt tears run down her face, leaving wet trails on her cheeks. "He won't. He can't. He promised me he was going to be there for me. He's going to live and we're going to have a family together. He's not going to die. He won't."
"I'm sorry, Sam," Jack said. "His injuries were terrible. The knife pierced his appendix, spilling poison into his bloodstream. If he survives, he'll make a full recovery. But if he doesn't, the poison will kill him...slowly and painfully."
"No!" Sam screamed, standing up. She reached into Danny's bed and took his hand. "You're wrong! He'll be alright, I know he will!"
"I'll leave you alone," Jack said, standing up and walking away from Sam's sobbing form. She pulled Danny's hand up to her lips and kissed it softly.
"It's all my fault, all of it! I'm so incredibly selfish!" Sam sobbed.
She examined Danny's handsome face, how peaceful he looked. If he did die, Sam hoped he died peacefully, without any pain. That would at least put her mind at ease.
Sam kissed his nose lovingly. "I'm so sorry, Danny," she whispered.
"I'm such a cruel woman, I deserve to die," Sam said, talking to herself. If only she knew Danny was awake and listening to her tiredly...
"I don't deserve to live," Sam said.
"But if you don't live, how can I marry you?" Danny mumbled.
"Yes, I know, but...DANNY!" Sam screamed in both surprise and delight. She threw her arms around him.
Danny laughed and held her to him. He hugged her as she cried happy tears into his shoulder."I'm sorry. I heard what you and my dad were talking about, and I know I might die, but...I don't want to die knowing we weren't together."
Sam pulled back, looking surprised. "What are you talking about?"
"Sam...will you marry me...before I die?" Danny coughed.
Sam giggled. "How romantic," she said. "A wedding proposal made by coughing. You're not going to die, Danny. And yes, I'll marry you."
Danny smiled. "Today, then?"
Sam looked startled. "Today? That's awfully short notice, don't you think?"
"Well, seeing as I might die today.."
"Today, then!" Sam laughed, hugging Danny again. "And you're not going to die. So stop saying that."
Danny smiled.
-DP-
The family gathered in the small hospital ward that afternoon to witness the beautiful marriage between Sam and Danny. A vicar stood in front of the bed, in which Danny lay. Sam stood beside him, looking very pleased and excited.
"We are gathered here today, in the eyes of God, to witness the joining between Samantha Manson and Daniel Fenton," the vicar began.
Maddie and Jack watched as Danny and Sam held hands and shared a loving look. Beside them, four empty seats stood; one for Jazz, one for Pamela, one for Jeremy, and one for Moon.
"Will you please recite your vows, Sam," the vicar said, peering at Sam over his glasses.
Sam went red and muttered that they weren't very good, but Danny squeezed her hand and nodded encouragingly.
Sam took a deep breath and began. "One of the most beautiful things in this world is love. It is a treasure money can't buy, a gift that has no limit. No matter where life takes us, I will always love you, Danny, now and forever. Please take this ring as a sign of my love and commitment," Sam finished, slipping the ring into Danny's finger and kissing his hand lovingly.
The vicar turned to Danny. "And now, if you'll recite your vows."
Danny took a deep breath, collecting himself. "Today, I choose you, Sam Manson, to be my partner in life. I promise to be by your side always, to be the joy of your heart and the food of your soul. I promise to be the best person I can be to you. To be happy with you when times are good, and suffer with you when times are bad. I promise to wipe away your tears with my kisses and hold you dearly and sweetly, until my very last days on this earth are over."
Maddie cried softly at these words. These gentle words truly showed Danny's commitment. It was a promise to Sam—a promise that he would always love her. Even when he died.
Danny slipped the ring he had been holding onto Sam's finger and kissed her hand as she had done to him.
"You have now become one flesh, one blood. You may now kiss the bride," the vicar said.
Danny kissed Sam passionately, his kisses soft and warm. Maddie and Jack erupted into applause. Maddie wiped a stray tear from her eye, smiling.
The vicar smiled when Danny and Sam interlocked hands. It was here he said clearly,
"May I introduce Daniel Fenton and his wife Samantha Fenton."
Author's Note: Oh, that is so sweet. I think I'm going to need a tissue. Sniffle.. what could possibly go wrong?