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Special Occasions

Liam showed up at Martin's apartment after Izzy called him in a panic.

"Oh no." Liam said once he saw Martin lying dead on the floor for himself. He kneeled down to hold her.

"I shot him." Izzy whispered.

"What exactly happened?"

"I came to warn him to leave me alone. He grabbed me then hit me. I shot him. I thought about it so many times but it's different now that I've done it. I'm a murderer... I'm going to be in prison for the rest of my life." Izzy cried.

"No you're not. I won't let that happen. Did anyone see you come in here?"

"I don't think so."

"Listen, no one has to know. We're going to handle this, ok? It'll be alright." He kissed her forehead.

-v-

A few months later...

Nicole's seventeenth birthday had just passed and Drew's seventeenth birthday was coming up. Both of them had been doing a lot better. Drew completely got her act together a while ago but recently, after Farah talked to her, Nicole's actually been a little angel.

Matthew was throwing a very small surprise party for the both of them at the Buchanan mansion and he decided to reward their good behavior with cars, nothing too fancy but their wish was about to come true.

Nicole and Drew had spent the day with their moms so that Matthew had time to get the party together. When they got there, the immediate family and friends were there. It was really nice and after they opened all the gifts that everyone had bought them, Matthew took them outside to show them their cars. Drew jumped up and down and hugged everyone. She was ecstatic. Nicole had a very different reaction. She was happy she got a car but instead of jumping up and down she just broke down in tears.

"What's wrong? Don't you like the car? It's your favorite color and everything." Matthew asked.

"I love it! I just don't deserve it. I've been so awful." Nicole cried. It was surprising to hear her say since for the longest time she acted as if she was entitled to get a car and anything else despite her behavior.

"I think you've learned your lesson. We all make mistakes. I'm giving you a second chance like someone gave me a second chance. Don't blow it."

Soon after their birthdays was prom. Drew was going to get a ticket for Nicole even though she was being homeschooled but Nicole decided against going. She loved dressing up and feeling like a princess but once she finally started to feel ashamed of that video she was in, she really didn't want to be seen too much.

Of course, Drew went to the prom with Harvey. They were cute together. Drew wore a Hawaiian styled long flowing dress to represent her Hawaiian background and Harvey wore a nice suit to coordinate with her.

Ace and Eva went to prom together in red and black but led everyone to think they were just friends because they're a little shy and nervous about revealing that they're together. It's so cute and innocent, you got to love it.

Chad took a girl friend from school. Infinity had the honor of performing at the prom so DJ had a free pass to the prom even though he was still in the eighth grade and not in high school yet and he took a girl from his school.

Infinity blew the roof off, they had an amazing performance. Almost everyone loved it. There were a few haters as usual, there's always some people who don't like what you're doing just because you're doing well but majority was stoked and hyped up off the performances. It was looking really good for Infinity which made an already great night absolutely wonderful and a night to remember.

-v-

Meanwhile, Dan was at his apartment and he had just came out of his room in his boxers to have a heated phone conversation.

"Listen! If you don't handle that situation by Friday, you're going to have to deal with me. Understand? I know that you know that I'm the last person you want to deal with." Dan said to the person on the other end of the phone. "...No buts just do what I told you to do." Dan hung up then heard a knock on the door and went to answer it. "Nicole. Why the hell are you here? You come to see Kory?"

"No. I came to see you." Nicole replied.

"For what? We are over, been over."

"I missed you."

"Here's some advice, no one likes a clingy woman. When you break up, let it go and move on."

"I love you. You love me too."

"No. No I don't. We're not together. Get that into your adolescent head."

"You're just saying that because my dad and Kory who I hardly know by the way wants you to stay away from me. What about what I want?"

"What about what you want? You're a child. I heard you've been a really good girl lately and that's good. Go home. If Kory comes in here, he'll think I'm breaking his trust. I may be a bad boy but I don't betray my family so go."

"Don't talk down to me, ok?"

A blonde haired, blue eyed super model type girl named Candi came behind Dan and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"When are you coming back to bed? Who's this?" Candi asked.

That hurt Nicole's heart. Before her eyes began to water because she felt it coming, she ran off.

"Damn! I'll be right there." Dan said to Candi before he closed the door and ran after Nicole. "Nic, wait! Nicki!" He finally caught her. "I'm sorry, ok?"

"Whatever. Get back to your girl."

"I realize you must be hurt but we can't be together, we're not together and that's just how it is."

"I got it." Nicole left.

-v-

Téa picked up Dani from rehab. After a few intense months in rehab she was finally ready to come home. Téa wanted to take their alone time in the car to try and connect with Dani.

"I'm so glad you're coming home. The girls really need you. Dani, if you ever need to talk about anything I'm here, you can talk to me." Téa said.

"Yeah mom..."Dani replied in a nonchalant tone.

"... You can move in with me and your dad or the rest of the family next door."

"Mom, I'm a grown woman. I don't need to be chaperoned." Dani said with an attitude.

"Daniella, you're a grown woman who almost died from a drug overdose and I do not want to come that close to losing my daughter again! I'm just looking out for you. You were on drugs for an entire year and none of us found out until it was almost too damn late! You avoided us because you knew we would call you out on your crap." Téa yelled and screeched.

"Ok. I'm sorry, mom. I understand. Just calm down while you're driving please. I'll be fine at my own house, ok? I promise."

"We're all going to look out for you... And don't ever think you're alone. Our family is too big for you to feel alone."

-v-

Miracle was watching one of David's movies while she drew new designs for her clothing line. Watching David's movies always kept her in a good mood. She could always count on getting a good laugh. The only thing better than watching a movie was actually spending time with David. Miracle was really the only one of David's nieces or nephews that fed into David's excitement and love for his acting career and personally really enjoyed it. Miracle and David were always really close, probably because she was the oldest and they had a lot of time to bond before any of her siblings were born. Plus, he and her mom were always really close.

It got to her favorite part and she laughed as hard as she did every time she saw the movie.

"Oh uncle David, you're so hilarious. Gotta love him." The doorbell rung, she paused the movie and answered the door. "Leon. What are you doing here? You know Evan is in school. It's his last day actually."

"I know. He got through his first year of kindergarten. Can you believe it? I came over to talk to you though." She invited him in.

"Why?"

"I broke up with Flora. You were right about her. She was planting her flowers all over the garden."

"I know." Miracle replied simply, thinking he really didn't have to come over to tell her that. He kissed her then she smacked him. "What the hell you do that for? We were trying to be friends, remember? Friends don't do that. That's how we messed up the first time. It kills me to say it but we should have listened to our parents and acted like family before instead of getting together."

"You don't mean that."

"I do. You live and you learn. Why would you kiss me? You didn't want to be with me so you're not with me. We've both moved on. It's not my fault you made a bad choice about who you moved on to."

"I love you."

"So? I love you too. We all love each other."

"No. You know, I mean I'm in love with you."

"Woopty Doo! What's love got to do with it? You got what you wanted, it's over. Leave and let's start this platonic friendship over tomorrow."

"I can't do that. I need more." Leon kissed her passionately and she caught herself before she completely gave in.

"No! Don't do this to me! This is that love me, love me not stuff my dad used to do to my mom and your uncle used to do to your mom. I heard the stories. I'm not going through that."

"It's not like that. Do I have to remind you like I have many times before that I am not your dad?"

"Yet, you want me back after I find someone else who's more than worthy of my love."

"And I'm damn sure not my uncle." Leon was really insulted, being compared to Todd.

"Yet, the more I tried to get closer to you, the more you pushed me away."

"You're exaggerating, big time."

"Am I? You're about two steps away from leaving my ass on a deserted island for a Millicent or a Flora or some other whore."

"You know damn well I wouldn't leave you on a deserted island." Leon said like she was being utterly ridiculous and exaggerating badly!

Leon kissed her again with even more passion than before and touched all her weak spots making her whole body go limp. Then he carried her up to her room, laid her down then put it down.

Afterward, Miracle immediately regretted what they had done. She felt so bad about it, she had a headache.

"This is two steps back in therapy." Miracle mumbled to herself but Leon still heard.

"You're in therapy?" Leon asked.

"Aww man... Yes." Miracle reluctantly admitted.

"Why?"

Miracle laughed a little, thinking that he said she needed help in a mist of an argument so many times that he should know why.

"Stuff." Miracle replied.

"That's not an answer."

"It's really none of your business."

"After this, you still feel that way?" Miracle didn't answer so Leon didn't press it. "We've never made love in your room before."

"Right and there's no telling when my mom will be back and that would be really awkward if she caught us so you should go." Though that was true, even more than that she just wanted Leon to leave.

He got dressed and finally left. She felt so guilty that she had cheated on Irvin, she felt like she was no better than Flora at this point. It hurt so badly that she had done what she did.

She looked around her room and was reminded of that nightmare she had which is why she hardly spent anytime in her room since she had that nightmare. She was dealing with the nightmare in therapy and she talked about how scared she was to completely be alone without any of her family. That was something to add on to the issues she had with losing Darren, the issues she had about living life in fear and her issues with her dad, however, she came a long way with all those other issues to the point that they're minimal now. If she could come to grips with the symbolism of the nightmare she might be able to get back to normal.

She quickly got out of her room, took a nice warm shower with soothing music playing then figured a movie wasn't enough for her anymore so she went to LaBoulaie so that she could really spend time with her uncle David to take her mind off things, have fun and laugh.

-v-

Destiny was at the Buenas Dias fulfilling a craving and talking to Jason.

"I need a job. For good reason, no one wants to hire me but I have to do something. No one trusts me and who could blame them?" Jason said to Destiny.

"I trust you." Destiny said. Jason cracked a smile. He appreciated how much Destiny still truly believed in him despite what he had done. "I know you didn't really ask me but I'll see what I can do about getting you a job. I think I know an opening. It may not be what you're qualified to do or what you'd like but it'll be something. I'm not making any promises."

"Thanks Des! You're a lifesaver!"

"That's my middle name. Destiny 'Lifesaver' Price."

"I appreciate you so much."

"You've always been there for me too."

"That's what friends are for. I have to go." Jason said then Dani walked in. "Congratulations." Jason said to Dani on the way out then Dani went over to Destiny.

"Hey Des!"

"Hey." Destiny replied dryly. "... It's good you're better."

"Thanks." Dani joined Destiny at the table. Destiny frowned. "I just wanted to apologize for what I did, betraying you and all. I was so wrong. Please, forgive me?"

"Let's see, the definition of forgive is to stop feeling angry or resentful toward, so I don't have to forgive because I'm not angry or resentful. I just don't trust you. I know what they say, "Never trust a Lord woman around your man." They were right but I said no, not my sis, Dani. She'd never do that to me. It doesn't matter, we're not friends anymore. That's just how it is but we both know our issues actually go deeper than that incident with Matthew." Destiny got up and headed toward the door.

"I know you were at the hospital."

"So, I don't hate you." Destiny continued on her way.

"Congrats on the new baby!" Dani exclaimed trying to tell Destiny before she got all the way out the door.

-v-

1 month later...

Matthew, Destiny, all their children and Evan were having dinner at The Palace. Destiny usually didn't make DJ join in on anything he didn't want to but this time she insisted just so that he really knew he wasn't left out or anything.

"Miry, how are you and Irvin doing?" Matthew asked.

"I broke up with him a few weeks ago." Miracle replied.

"Why? Did he hurt you?" Matthew asked.

"No." Miracle replied simply. She didn't want to go into detail but the truth was after she had sex with Leon, she felt too guilty to keep dating Irvin. It really hurt her to hurt such a nice genuine guy.

"So DJ buddy, you are superwondermonious on the piano man!" Matthew tried to make conversation with DJ. DJ just stared at Matthew for a few moments before he continued to eat.

"I am not your buddy." DJ thought to himself.

"You know, we guys should get together and play a game of basketball, two on two, Kory and Ace against me and DJ."

DJ tried not to laugh at the idea. Everyone thought it was best somebody changed the subject now.

"Eva and I are boyfriend and girlfriend." Ace blurted out.

"Oh..." Destiny replied. She was so caught off guard by the statement. "Um... Be good to my little sis, ok?"

"Sure will! She's the best girl in the world."

"That's cute." Destiny admitted and smiled. "Just remember, John may not take you dating his daughter so well. Break it to him easily. It's his daughter's first boyfriend."

"That's liable to give any man a heart attack, you'll see one day." Matthew said.

"I am so happy that when school starts in September, Nic and I will officially be seniors! Woo Hoo!" Drew exclaimed.

"Cheers to that." Matthew said then everyone held up their glasses.

"Ahhhhhhh!" Destiny yelled in pain.

"I've heard that sound enough times. Are you in labor?" Matthew asked and Destiny nodded her head.

"And they're coming fast! Ahhhh!" Destiny exclaimed.

"Perfect day to have a van. Let's get you to the hospital." Matthew said then helped Destiny to the van. The entire family hopped in and they made their way to Llanview hospital.

"Can you believe we're going to have a little brother or sister?" Miracle asked DJ.

"This will be your whole sibling." DJ said.

"Whole, half, it doesn't matter. All the same to me, you know that."

"Everything is going to be different now, more different."

"It's not so bad. We're a family. We all need each other."

"It's your family... Your siblings, your dad."

"I know it's hard, D. All this is hard for me too but I know, you know, mom knows that we can't replace Darren or the family we had with him. We will never forget that but for whatever reason, mom and my dad found their way back to each other. We just have to live with it. I've actually gotten used to it."

"Of course you have, he's your dad."

"That has nothing to do with it. I'm not one of those people who have always dreamed of their parents being together. I don't even remember them being together. I hardly even remember them being friends. They only had just enough of a relationship to co-parent and it never really bothered me because at the end of the day I had Darren. I know you don't like my dad but for the past few years he's really been a good guy. It seems like he really wants to connect with you. He wants us all to be one family."

"He's trying to impress mom and I'm not impressed. I've known the man my entire life and never once did he try to have a conversation with me or anything close to it until now. Think of all the times he tried to break up mom and dad. Like I said, it's your family, not mine."

"If you keep thinking that way you're going to feel alone and you don't have to. At least pretend for mom, it'll make her happy if she's not worried about how you feel all the time. Darren isn't here but he loved mom so I know that he wants her to be happy too, even if it's with my dad as long as he's good to her."

"I want her to be happy too..."

"Then would you be a trooper and play along? Try to leave the memories of my dad's old asshole tendencies in the past?"

Hours later, Matthew was still by Destiny's side, holding her hand and finally the newest Buchanan was brought into the world.

"It's a boy!" The doctor exclaimed.

"We did it, Des. We got a boy." Matthew said happily. He kissed her forehead.

A while later the rest of the kids came in to meet their new sibling. Destiny was holding him in her arms.

"Meet your new brother..." Matthew said.

"Noah Lyfe Buchanan." Destiny revealed his named.

"No surprise he looks like Miracle." Nicole said.

"He's adorable." Drew said.

"Now I get to be a big sister too!" Del exclaimed.

"We love you, Noah." Destiny said.