Chapter Four

(Author's Note: It was Kathy Santori, NOT SANTUCCI, BUT, let's just say Kathy was once married to a guy named Santucci, Diana and Reese's father. Reese is Diana's 12 year old sister)

Daniel and DJ were seated at the Kitchen table, having the most important conversation ever.

"It was our anniversary. I just wanted it to be a simple night. I should have known Diana was just like her mom, why did I not listen to her brother when we started dating?"

"First of all, Daniel, you should always be prepared for something like this. You would know that, if your dad was here to tell you these things." Donna Jo sighed. She was not old enough to be called grandma, and heaven forbid Danny was not ready to be a Great-Grandfather. The chain of young and in love is constant in the Tanner family. Danny married Pamela Katsopoulis when they were just 18, and had DJ when they were still in college. And DJ and Steve eloped when DJ had a prom night conception. Now, Daniel Hale has once again followed in the Tanner Tradition: Teen Parenting.

Michelle returns from her studio bedroom, heading to the back door for one last smoke before bed (Michelle started smoking in high school, thanks to Denise. Another one of the reason she and Aaron broke up-she had gone from a half pack to almost two and a half packs a day).

"Does that girl want to be on Teen Mom? Trashy TV is no way to go through life." Michelle went outside.

"You're one to talk, Aunt Michelle. And this is not your problem." Oh, how Daniel wanted to bum a cig off his aunt. He was caught by DJ when he was eleven, but still occasionally sneaks a smoke with his guys after school. Once Diana told him she was pregnant, Daniel promised not to light one up for the sake of his girlfriend and his baby.

"Daniel, where were we? It was your anniversary. I know how important that was for you."

"I know. I had condoms in the glove box, but in the heat of the moment, I sort of forgot about them. But here's the kicker-she failed to tell me she stopped taking her birth control, or as she put it, forgot to refill her prescription."

"Forgot? Now I KNOW she's just like her mother." Donna Jo just lost it. She started crying. "I should call Kathy. We're having them over for dinner, and yes, I know we have this damn reunion coming up, but as of now, the Santoris are family."

That night, Daniel had a dream, well, more of a nightmare. He and Diana were in a hospital delivery room. Diana was pushing hard, trying to give birth. And then it just did not stop. The babies kept coming. As if there was this neverending birth canal and uterus and baby after baby just kept being delivered… Daniel woke up in a cold cold sweat, then picked up the phone.

"Diana, it's Daniel. I'm coming to see you. Be outside in 10 minutes."

Daniel picked up Diana and the two of them went to a place they knew nobody would bother them- the woods behind Van Atta Junior High School, where Daniel and Diana shared their first kiss.

"Why are we here?" Diana asked.

"Remember the first time here? I should have brought you here on our anniversary, but I couldn't sleep. What you told me tonight had me thinking, and our moms are going to have a long talk tomorrow, but I want you to know, I will always be here for you, and for this." Daniel placed their hands together on Diana's small, barely visible pregnant belly. Then Daniel went to one knee. "I promise to be there for you and for our baby. I want you to keep the same promise, and I want to marry you, when you're ready and of age."

Diana had no idea what to say.

"Well? Baby, please. We're having a baby, I want to make things right." Daniel stood up, and kissed Diana's cheek.

"I don't think I want to do this."

Willie Tanner woke up in the middle of the night. He too, was having a bad dream. Instead, it was more about his failing health. So far, only Kate knew how sick he was; the doctors had just diagnosed him with a high stage 3, almost Stage 4 lung cancer. Eric knew he was sick, too, but not as advanced as it was. Willie was afraid to tell the other two that he was dying and that this opportunity would very well be the last time the whole family would be together.

Willie went downstairs and out to the backyard. Suddenly, he could smell the faint odor of marijuana coming from behind the tool shed. Willie took a peek back there and caught Brian enjoying a fresh joint.

"Could I get some of that?" Willie asked his son. Brian was startled to find his dad had caught him. Took him 15 years, but he was finally busted.

"Dad, what the hell are you doing up this late?" Brian didn't know what else to say.

"I should ask you the same thing, but I don't think I want to know." Brian passed the joint to his dad, who then slowly inhaled it. That's the good shit right there. Willie thought to himself. WAIT A MINUTE.

"How did you sneak this stuff here?" Willie asked. He knew Brian could not have brought this on the plane, what with all the security and shit these days.

"I know a guy out here, and that's why I told you guys to meet us. I had to get some to relieve my stress. Why, you got something you want to tell me. Eric told me something you had to tell me."

"Yeah, actually, there is, but I haven't told Lynn either."

"You're dying, aren't you?" Brian took out the pack of Marlboros.

"Yeah, I am. Stage 4 Lung Cancer. " Brian threw the pack somewhere into the backyard. Fuck.

"That's why Eric took my cigarettes earlier. He doesn't want me to suffer the same thing."

Willie and Brian walked back to the back of the house and onto the patio.

"It's funny, though. Your mom and I quit smoking when we got married. This must be related to all the asbestos I was exposed to at work all these years." Willie explained. "And then, when we had to redo the garage after ALF-oh, I miss that furball." Willie stopped. Memories of the alien who lived with them and became part of the family were too much for Willie.

"I know, I feel the same way about him too. My work reflects that in so many ways."

"Let's go back to bed, we have a long drive tomorrow."

(Author's Note: I have limited internet access, so I have been writing each chapter in advance, and will try and keep up as much as possible, so if there is a gap between a set of chapters, please forgive me and the dead zone of a wifi area I live in. - Savvybear.)