Daydreams & Living Nightmares

Destiny, Matthew and the Manning/Lords arrived at Llanview hospital and found Jason.

"How's Dani, is she alright?" Téa asked in a panic.

"The doctors are still with her but she's still unconscious." Jason said.

"Oh God!" Téa exclaimed. Victor held her trying to calm her down.

The doctor soon came out.

"How is she?" Victor asked.

"Dani is stable. She will be fine. She's sleeping now." The doctor replied.

"Oh thank God!" Téa exclaimed. "Can we see her?"

"Yes but one at a time. We don't want to overwhelm her." The doctor said and soon left the family alone.

"I can't believe she's doing drugs. Why would she do that?" Téa wondered aloud.

"Maybe one of these assholes know." Todd said.

"You're blaming us?" Jason asked, confused.

"Yeah! If you two didn't take the girls from her she wouldn't be here." Todd replied.

"This isn't our fault. Dani's been on drugs for a while, we figured it out and took the girls for their sake." Matthew said.

"I'm supposed to believe that?" Todd asked.

"It's not their fault. Dani's a grown woman, she can make her own decisions. Let's just be happy that she's alive. Now that we know that she's alright, I'm going to kill her." Téa said.

"Thank God Dani is alright. We're going to go." Destiny said.

"Thanks for filling me in on what's been going on." Téa said.

"Of course. I'll call you." Destiny said.

"Destiny, congratulations on the baby." Téa said.

"Thanks." Destiny and Téa hugged before Destiny and a Matthew left.

-v-

Later that night, Matthew called Destiny and woke her out of her sleep.

"Hello?" Destiny answered in a sleepy voice.

"It's Matt. I'm so sorry I'm calling you so late but it's Del. She won't stop crying. I tried to comfort her and so did my mom, Drew, Ace and Neela. Nothing is working. She misses Dani. I need your help."

"You really think I have all the answers, don't you? The next best person to Dani would be Téa but since you two aren't exactly on good terms anymore I guess I can help you. I'll be right over."

Destiny headed over to the Buchanan's with Miracle, DJ and Evan. She had a feeling it would take her and Miracle to calm Del down. When they got there Destiny and Miracle went up to her room. Nora was with Del and she was having a fit. Nora gave Destiny and Miracle time alone with Del.

"Auntie Destiny, Miracle, I want my mommy!" Del exclaimed. Destiny and Miracle had a seat on each side of her.

"I know sweetie. I know you're not used to being away from your mommy and Vida for this long but it's going to be awhile before you can see her." Destiny said.

"Noooo! Why?"

"She's sick right now but as soon as she gets better I promise you can see her then." Destiny said. Del poked her lip out then began to cry.

"Del, it's alright. You'll see your mommy soon and it's not so bad with daddy." Miracle said.

"I want to go home! If I can't go home can one of you stay with me?" Del asked.

"I'll stay." Miracle volunteered. Destiny stayed a little while longer then left Del with Miracle. "What do you say we go to my room and get in the big bed?" Del finally smiled and nodded her head. Then they went to Miracle's room. Del stayed close to Miracle while holding on to her stuffed white bunny tightly. Miracle sung a Spanish lullaby that Téa used to sing to her when she was a little girl and she knew she sung it to Del too. She figured it would give her some comfort.

Destiny met Matthew in the living room.

"She should be fine for the rest of the night. Miracle is going to stay with her." Destiny said.

"Why was she so receptive to you two?" Matthew asked.

"We're just a little bit closer to her. This is a big adjustment for her, not seeing Dani. It's going to take some time. Everyone she's close to is going to have to come together to make it easy for her to deal. Hopefully, it doesn't take Dani too long to recover completely... I'll see you later."

"It's late you and DJ should just stay the night too."

"I don't think that's a good idea but I'll call you." Destiny said, knowing DJ couldn't wait to go home and would not want to stay over night there.

Miracle staying with Del helped. She slept through the night and stopped crying. Del was closest to Miracle of all the siblings and since Miracle was there to keep her reasonably content, she stuck to Miracle like glue. It helped that Evan was there as well because they were really close, they had fun together and he was a distraction from missing Dani.

Miracle kept drilling into Matthew's head the importance of him getting along with Jason so that the girls could spend more time together at each other's houses. That was going to take a lot of work but it needed to be done.

Once everyone was up and at it, Leon came over to see Evan and Del.

"How are you? I know you're worried about aunt Dani." Miracle asked.

"Worried just about sums it up. I can't believe she's been doing drugs. How could I miss that?" Leon replied.

"It's not your fault."

"You must be worried too, she's still aunt Dani to you."

"I am very concerned. I hope she can get better soon for her sake and Del and Vida."

"Vida seems to be getting more out of control. I think Jason is at a lost as to how to help her. She's never like that when she comes to our house."

"That's because your dad doesn't play those games. He'd have her in check in point two seconds." Miracle laughed. "Maybe that's who uncle Jason needs to call to handle her."

"You know Sierra Rose had the baby."

"I know, Izzy told me. I saw pictures. He's so adorable, little Parker Lord."

"How is Izzy?"

"She's going through some serious stuff right now. Her crazy ex is stalking her. All we can do is be there for her. She has people watching her back but the guy is crazy."

"She'll be alright... I better get to Evan and Del."

"Yeah but wait... Before you do that, I have something to tell you. This may not be a good time but I think you should know."

"What?"

"At the Lord Love the Children event... I saw Flora with another guy, kissing him."

"Wow. Come on Miry, don't be ridiculous. I can't believe you would say that."

"Say what? The truth? I've never been a liar."

"You just made that up because you're jealous."

"Seriously? Jealous for what? I have a boyfriend. We've know each other our entire lives. Do you honestly think I would stoop so low to lie to you about something like this? I'm sorry, I thought we were trying to be friends again. I've moved on but even if I hadn't I would have told you what I saw. I'm just looking out for you like I've always done but fine, don't believe me. See if I care."

"I'm sorry. I was wrong. I believe you. I have no reason to doubt you."

You're right, you don't. Evan and Del are in Bel's room. I'll get them for you." Miracle walked away leaving Leon thinking about how he completely ruined that conversation.

-v-

After a few days of being watched and monitored in the hospital, Dani went to rehab for her cocaine addiction. After being in rehab for a few days, Jason went to see her.

"How's it going in here?" Jason asked.

"I still want a hit." Dani replied.

"Dani, you could have died."

"I know that! The first step is admitting I have a problem, right? I'm admitting I'm addicted to cocaine."

"Why did you start? You have two daughters who need you."

"I know! I was just so lonely and parenting on my own. The drugs made me forget about how I felt. It made me feel good, I had the energy to go on. Then you and Matt took the girls from me and to top it all off I lost my job later that day. I loved being the DA. It made me feel important. I just couldn't take it anymore. I got a hit and just needed more. I needed to forget how much my life sucked."

"Your life doesn't suck. You have so much to be grateful for and I told you before, you're not alone. You have your family and friends."

"Sometimes that's not enough."

"Well you could have had me but you didn't want me anymore." Jason thought to himself. They used to have such a beautiful relationship. Maybe it was his fault that it ended but he never wanted to give up on their relationship, however, she gave it up so easily. What was he to do? He still loved her but she didn't want him. She'd rather ruin a relationship with her best friend by making a move on her man or feel alone and on drugs than be with him. He had never been more hurt than when Dani admitted to cheating on him and asked for a divorce while he was in prison when the entire time he was in prison all he could think about was getting back to Dani and Vida. Now his heart was broken even more seeing Dani like this and Vida the way she is at this point.

"My mom was ready to kill me after I woke up in the hospital. She said Destiny filled her in on everything. I'm surprised she even made it to the hospital."

"You know Destiny loves you."

"Thats why she helped you and Matt take the girls from me?"

"Say what you want, you know we had to do that."

"She won't talk to me."

"Should she? You tried to seduce Matthew. They've been together what, two years or something now? They're in love, they're having another baby. Destiny was your best friend, basically sisters and you betrayed her. She's always been there for you, the least you could do is not betray her. How could you?"

"Wait, Destiny's pregnant?"

"Almost five months I think they said."

"Wow... That makes what I did even worst... I don't know why I'm so surprised though. It was just a matter of time, that's what Matthew does, knock people up."

"He has a long lost son too. He's eighteen."

"Gosh. Good thing I didn't succeed in seducing him. I probably would have been pregnant again." Dani joked but Jason didn't want the visual of Matthew and Dani together.

"Get better soon ok, the girls need you."

"How are they?"

"They miss you. Neither of them are really doing that well. I don't even know what to do with Vida. What happened to my little girl?"

"We did."

-v-

Miracle was tossing and turning in her sleep. Her dream, nightmare was a better word for it was dark and played on everything she tried to avoid thinking about when she was awake and most of what she talked to Hope about in therapy.

At Rodi's, Miracle and Izzy were standing by the bar talking when they heard the gunshot and Darren jumped in front of them causing the bullet to hit him.

The next scene of her dream she was back in the hospital room crying with Destiny after he died.

Then it was completely dark around with just a spotlight on her. She was terrified not knowing what was going to happen next and being in this dark room all alone. Suddenly, there was just enough light to see where she was. All around her were tombstones. She read the names, Destiny Price, Evan Lord, Leon Lord, Izzy Thornhart and more. It was everyone she loved.

"Noooo!" Miracle screamed.

She finally woke up crying. Now she was the one who didn't want to be alone. Like Del, she needed her mommy right now.

Miracle went to Destiny's room and climbed in her bed. Destiny woke up.

"Are you alright?" Destiny asked.

"I just don't want to be alone right now." Miracle replied. Destiny held her until they both fell back to sleep.

The next day, Destiny woke up really sick, throwing up, the whole nine which sent Miracle into a panic.

"Are you alright?" Miracle asked.

"I just don't feel well, today. I'm going to canceled my meetings." Destiny noticed the nervous look Miracle had. "I'm really ok. I'm pregnant, I'm just having a really bad day. What's wrong with you? You've seemed shaken up every since last night."

"I'm fine... I have an appointment with Hope. I'm on my way there unless you need me."

"No, go meet with Hope."

Miracle got a call from Matthew once she got in her car. "Hey dad."

"Hey Miry. What's up?"

"Not much..."

"What's up with your mom? She's not answering my phone calls."

"Your baby has her totally under the weather today. She's sick. She cancelled all her meetings and her phone is on vibrate."

Miracle went to meet with Hope and a half hour later Matthew was ringing Destiny's doorbell. She answered, surprised to see him.

"What are you doing here?" Destiny asked.

"Miracle told me you were sick so I came to take care of you. I brought you soup."

"How sweet. Thanks."

They stayed in the living room instead of going back up to her room. She leaned on his chest as they streamed Fraternity Row from the Internet to her TV. She started looking around and noticed all the pictures of Darren on the walls and tables. Then she stopped leaning on Matthew and created a little space between them. Perhaps, considering DJ's feelings wasn't the only reason why she never invited Matthew over.

-v-

Meanwhile, Kory and Dan were having a discussion at their apartment. They were getting ready to head out soon. Dan got his gun.

"Do you have to take that thing everywhere you go?" Kory asked.

"It's important to be prepared." Dan replied.

"Prepared to kill at all times? That's a little psycho. We're not in Port Charles, you're not a hit man anymore."

"Yeah, aunt Kristina's number one goal was getting us away from the mob. Luckily for you and her, she didn't know you were in it too but maybe she had a feeling."

"She'd be really disappointed. She doesn't know I was involved with the mob, she doesn't know I've killed before. Her biggest nightmare was that any of her kids would turn out anything like her father."

"Don't blame yourself for having to kill that guy, you had no choice. You're not really about the mob life Kory."

"I'm not so sure about that. I love the feeling of being in control and being on the edge of danger."

"You also like children and animals and playing at the amusement park. You're a complicated person."

"So are you. There's a good side to you that you don't like to let others see and you know it."

-v-

A few days later, Destiny went over to the Buchanan's. She and Matthew had some intimate time together.

"I can't thank you enough for taking care of me a few days ago." Destiny said.

"That's what I'm here for. I love you. If I have to go to the end of the world and back for you, I will... What did your parents say when you told them about the baby?"

"They reacted how I expected them to."

"So they were happy, excited?"

"Uh... Sure. They're happy to be grandparents again."

"I sense a big but."

"... But they're not so happy it's with you. They didn't expect us to stay together this long."

"Why is that a bad thing?"

"It doesn't matter."

"It does to me. Be honest, I can handle it."

"They don't really like you, never have."

"Oh that's great... Does any of your family like me?"

"Yes... No, not really. I'm so sorry."

"I guess I understand. I was really unlikable for a long time. Do you think if I tried to bond with DJ he'd loosen up to me?"

"I don't think so. Apart of me would like for you to try but I'm not so sure if it would make things better or worst. He'd feel like you're only trying because you want to impress me and that won't impress him. I just don't want to force him to deal with all this."

"I get it. Maybe I can start with something small. I really want us all to be a family."

"You have really grown up."

"Speaking of family, we haven't talked about baby names yet."

"We sure haven't. This should be fun. Let's start with girl names."

"You know I never liked Del's name. What kind of name is Del Zulimar?"

"Dani put a lot of thought into that name. Del was the closest name she could think of to Delgado. It's also what they call her uncle Delmonico. Zulimar has a Spanish origin which was important to Dani and it means, 'blue ocean' which reminded Dani of Tahiti, where she's from and remember she loved surfing. A blue ocean is also very beautiful and in a lot of ways seems bigger than life."

"Well since you've explained it to me which Dani never did, I like it a lot better now."

"So what's your first name idea?"

"Nora."

"Lilac."

"Ok, your obsession with purple is extreme." They shared a laugh. "Mestiny. You know like Matthew and Destiny."

Destiny laughed. "We're not naming our daughter Mestiny. Ooh, what about Eden?"

"I like it. Eden Devina Buchanan."

"Yes! Love it. Ok. Boy names: Shiloh."

"Let's name him after my dad."

"Your dad's real name is Beaufort Oglethorpe. I love your dad but I can't name my son Beaufort Oglethorpe."

Matthew laughed. "Point taken. Let's name him Matthew Jr."

"... I don't know but people with MJ as their initials seem to be super cool like Michael Jackson, Michael Jordan, Michael J. Fox. Maybe we should name him Michael, or just plain ol' MJ. That's cool."

"I really want to name him after me."

"I don't think we should name him after anyone. Almost all the kids are named after someone. Miracle's middle name is my mom's original name. Nicole is named after a Pussycat Doll. Drew Davida, named after both your brothers. Ace is named after your grandfather. Let's just let this baby be original." She purposely didn't bring up that DJ was named after Darren.

"Why don't you want to name our son after me if we have a boy?"

"I just told you."

"I don't believe that's the real reason."

"This isn't fun anymore. Are you hungry? I'll cook for you." Destiny changed the subject.

-v-

Izzy's ex-boyfriend, Martin opened the door to his apartment and turned on the lights. Izzy was sitting in his living room. She scared the mess out of him.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Martin asked.

"I decided to get two steps ahead of you. You've been stalking me, I got around you and beat you home. Why do you follow me?" Izzy asked.

"Follow you? You're in my apartment."

"Don't play with me. Why do you want me to be miserable? Why do you want to hurt me?"

"You get what you deserve."

"You're telling me I deserve to hurt? I don't understand men like you. I won't be a victim anymore. If you want to hurt me, I'm not going down without a fight. This is your warning. I suggest you take me seriously." Izzy headed toward the door and Martin grabbed her. "Let me go."

"Are you threatening me?"

"No, I'm promising you." She pulled out her gun which she got after he started following her and put it to his stomach.

"Let me go. I swear I'm not afraid to use it."

He hit her, she fell to the floor with the gun still in hand then pointed at him and pulled the trigger. She didn't miss. He was dead. Her eyes were wide open, she was shaking. She thought about killing him before but actually doing it was a different story. She slid back toward the door and stared at the lifeless body in front of her.

"Oh God, what did I just do? I shouldn't have come. Why did I come?" Izzy cried.