The Next Morning

Alice sat on the veranda. Danny was pacing. Lexi and Ethan were in her room listening to a CD. What they didn't know was they were putting the finishing touches on her attitude. He was giving her the final tips on how to stand among other things. Dupe had went to pick Josh and his wife up.

"Alice get out of here please!" Danny begged.

"United front as a family Danny!" she told him.

"If he so much as looks at you funny I'll kill him! And god help him if he turns on Lexi!"

A car turned and came towards them slowly.

Alice's breathing went shallow.

Danny blocked the car from view using his body. "Look at me Alice."

She did. She felt the calm radiating from him.

"I swear to you. No harm will come to any of you while I'm here."

She nodded and he gave her a chaste kiss.

She grabbed his hand. "C'mon let's face the devil!" she said. They twined their hands turned took a step forward. Looked at the man who ruined their life all those years ago. He hadn't changed. he still looked young, boyish even. He stood like he owned the place, his blue eyes assessing. His blond hair was messy. His wife was short, brown hair and green eyes. She looked mousy. Her eyes held a glint of something Alice didn't recognise.

Josh smirked at her. "Hello Alice, long time no see!"

"Not long enough!" she answered defiantly.

"You talk to me and only me Josh!" Danny warned.

"So where's my kid then?"

"Her name is Lexi!" Danny told him.

"Yeah Lexi templey!"

Danny's hand that was hanging at his side fisted. "Her name is Lexi Trevanion!" he said through clenched teeth.

"Like I said Daniel, not for long!"

They heard the front door open and everyone turned to watch Lexi walk out. She had white cargo trousers on and a white t-shirt. Her sunglasses were on. She'd felt stupid wearing them in the house. She sauntered out as if she had all the time in the world and smiled cockily. She had a superior air about her. Ethan stood by her side. Reached up and pushed the shades so they rested on her tousled blond hair and crossed her arms. She surveyed Josh and his wife and almost dismissed them.

"So you're the sperm donor!" she said defiantly. "Nothing special there!"

Josh paled.

"Then again after what you did, your definitely nothing special!"

"I'm not like that!" he defended himself.

Lexi lost her temper. "You ruined my life you bastard!" Lexi seethed.

"No I gave you life!"

She clenched her fists.

Alice and Danny looked at each other. What was Lexi doing she never acted like this? Was she just asserting herself. Or putting on a show for her mother and Danny?

"Go inside Lex, you've seen him now baby."

Lexi smiled at Danny.

Danny turned to Alice. "You too honey. I'll deal with him!" he kissed her cheek.

Lexi gave Josh a dark look and then dismissed him. Walked inside with her mother and Ethan.

Ethan and Alice were inside the front door closed. Ethan grinned and hi-5'd Lexi. "Did you see him? Way to go Lex! You certainly had him scared, and sperm donor!" he laughed. "That was genius!"

"Why'd you do that Lexi?" Alice asked softly.

"Coz NO ONE messes with my mum. I'm gonna give him hell for you!" Lexi said smiling cockily.

Alice welled up. "Aw Lex you don't have to do that you know!"

"I know but I'm going to. Coz you're my mum!"

Alice didn't say anything. She hugged her daughter who dwarfed over her. She reminded Alice so much of Danny. Her attitude, her family loyalty.

(X)

"What the hell was that?" Josh asked.

Danny smiled widely, "My daughter. Little belter isn't she!"

"And she knows?" Josh asked.

"Of course. We don't keep secrets!"

Josh felt nervous. He'd told his wife Alice was his girlfriend from school.

Danny saw his face and smiled evilly. "Watamata Josh, wife not know what you are?" he walked down the stairs towards them. "You been telling lies about your past? Tut tut!"

"Shut up Trevanion!" Josh warned.

Danny got in Josh's face. "Why don't you make me?" he then looked at Josh's wife, "You see…"

"Sheila." she said softly.

"You see Sheila your wonderful husband here has a dark secret don't you. What he tell you. Alice was a one night stand? Boyfriend? He was neither. He lived at Alice's father's for awhile. He liked her." he looked at Josh. "Didn't you." he looked back at his wife. "But it wasn't mutual. He got angry. He doesn't take rejection well. Do you see the picture I'm painting?"

"Bastard!" Josh snarled and swung his fist.

Danny moved and smiled cockily. Josh launched at him. Danny side stepped him but stuck his foot out so Josh ended up on his face in the dirt.

"No he wouldn't!" Sheila said.

"Yes he did!" Danny corrected. "Didn't you!" he looked at the ground where Josh lay. "You'll be dealing with me as I want my family kept away from you. It's unfortunate my daughter had so be anywhere near you! But I respect her decisions. If she wants to get to know you fine. If not your not to go anywhere near her Alice or Ethan!" he gave Josh a silent warning. Touch them and I'd kill you.

"Couple of rules too. Your not to go inside the main house at any time. Or the animal hospital. And you go nowhere Alice Lexi or Ethan alone. I am giving you fair warning. Your lucky I'm more restrained now than I was when I was 15!" he then stalked away.

Josh debate don going after him while his back was turned then decided against it. He couldn't win a fight with him 15 years ago and he doubted he could now!

Caroline walked outside to show them to the guest hut.

Danny knocked on Lexi's bedroom door.

"You ok sweetie?" he asked after he walked in.

Lexi smiled. "yeah. Feel abit hot though! Thanks for asking."

"The doctor is here tomorrow. It's just to tell you what's happened in. The treatment will be staring in the next few days. I did some research."

Lexi nodded. "Is he a bad person?"

Danny shrugged. "He was. "I'll never trust him around you or your mother. And I have reason to hate him forever for what he did. You have to make your own judgements sweet."

"And you'll allow me to do that?" she asked.

"Of course honey. And by the way I know it meant a lot to your mum to see you treat him like that. He didn't know what hit him."

Lexi smiled. "Can I talk to him later?"

"If that's what you want baby."

"I want you to be my dad." she said softly.

"Lexi I AM your dad. I'm not your father but anyone can be one of those. It takes someone special to be a daddy. You know it doesn't change anything to me. Your still my little ray of sunshine. I'll always be your daddy. not your father but definitely your daddy!"

She walked over to her bedroom door and hugged him. She nearly matched him in height. "Love you."

"Love you too. You'll always be my baby you know!"

(X)

Dinner time had been and gone. Josh Alice, Danny and Lexi were sat on the veranda. Josh was looking a Lexi. He saw Danny in her stance. The way her head was cocked at the side while she scrutinised him. She had his green eyes too. They bore holes into him. Like they could see straight into his soul. Her height, her belligerent expression and her cocky got to hell attitude were all Danny.

"This is gonna sound stupid but are you sure?" Josh asked Danny.

Lexi's eyes turned suspicious.

"You think I'd let you near her any other way?" Alice hissed.

Lexi spoke up. "You never answered my sperm donor question before!" she said angrily.

God she even sounded like Danny in the way she spoke. He thought.

"I suppose I am." he said.

Lexi smiled and took her opportunity. She eyed him up and down.

Josh felt ill at ease at her calculating gaze.

"Complete disappointment." she muttered and sauntered off into her bedroom.

Josh was in shock. "I repeat are you sure. I mean God she is Danny! I half expect her to turn round and tell me to go to hell! She is exactly like him, in nearly every way. She's so like him it's scary!"

Alice's eyes narrowed.

Josh softened his voice. "Look, I'm not the same person anymore. I want to be a father to her."

Danny thought he was gonna explode. He'd counted on josh being a asshole. Being nasty and evil. Someone Lexi could hate. It changed everything if he HAD changed and was different.

"Alice, it doesn't mean much but I'm sorry." Josh said.

Alice frowned and her jaw dropped. She absently rubbed her stomach as Dee Jay kicked. "Josh I have no idea what game your playing but I will see through it!" Alice warned.

"No game. I just wanna be a good father."

Danny hated hearing referred to in that matter. Lexi is his daughter not Josh's. that wasn't true though was it. He wasn't doing Josh no favours. He was doing this for Lexi.

"I'll ask her to cut the attitude with you." Danny said grudgingly.

"Thank you!" he said.

"I'm not doing this for you. There's 2 reasons why you're here. The second one being so Lexi could get to know you." Danny looked at Alice. "We gotta tell him."

"Tell me what?" Josh spoke up.

"Lexi is ill. She has leukaemia. She might need a bone marrow transplant. Her…" Danny exhaled. "Her father is the most compatible donor."

"Will she die?" Josh asked his voice neutral.

"We don't know. We're praying that she'll get better. The doctor is coming tomorrow."

Josh nodded.

Danny checked his watch. It was 2:30. He rubbed his eyes tiredly. The lack of sleep was starting to catch up with him. He'd been awake for nearly 3 days.

A taxi pulled up.

"Whose this, we aren't expecting anyone!" Alice stood up. Saw her mother climb from the back of the car.

"Mum?" she shouted.

"Alice!" she said warmly, alice walked over and embraced her. "I got the first flight out. Have you been ok?"

Alice nodded.

Mrs Elliott looked down at her bump. "You've doubled in size since I last saw you. You sure you haven't got 2 babies in there?" she patted.

"Nope just one big one!" Alice replied.

Dee jay kicked her mums hand. "You got your daddies height then," she said to the bump. "But judging by that kick your mothers attitude that's the best way."

Dee Jay kicked her again to punctuate the statement. Both woman grinned at each other.

Mrs Elliott looked towards the house. Saw a man sitting across from danny. "That him?" she asked in disgust. "Shauna told me what he did to you!"

Alice nodded. Mrs Elliott walked up the stairs.

"So you attacked my daughter huh?" she took a step towards him. "Tell me why I shouldn't batter you with a spade?"

Josh paled, stood up, lifted his palms in a gesture of surrender and backed off.

"Or better still how about I ring Shauna missy James and Karl. Incase your wondering Missy and Shauna are the ones you have to worry about. They can be downright dangerous. They get it from me!"

"Look I've apologised. Not that it makes it better. If I'm being honest I wouldn't take it back coz I've got a daughter now!"

Danny's hands fisted and clattered off the table in anger. He was restraining himself, barely.

"My advice to you." Mrs Elliott started. "Leave now. He looks about 5 seconds from kicking off and I'm even less 5,4."

Josh walked off the veranda and towards his hut.

Danny dropped his head to the table. "This is so hard. I'm trying to be the bigger an. Give him a chance for her but Dammit she's my daughter not his. It's not fair!" he said muffled.

"Why'd you tell him you ask Lex to drop her attitude?" Alice asked.

"Coz whether we like it or not he IS her father and if he has changed we have no excuse to keep her from him. Look I wanna protect her but what if there's nothing to protect her from? I'm not doing it for him. She just needs to know where she comes form. I'm shattered so I'm going for a lie down. I'll asked dupe to keep his eyes open."

He stood up and went over to kiss Alice. He did softly. Then looked at her mother.

"I'm happy you're here Mrs Elliott. Alice needs her mum." he said tiredly.

"I'm Cathy!" she said in mock annoyance. Danny smiled at her but it held no humour. He walked into the house.

Mrs Elliott and Alice sat down on the bench. "This is so hard for him he's' trying so hard. He's shouldering it all because of the baby and the kids, mum I'm scared he's gonna make himself ill if this carries on. I've tried to tell him to confide in m. let me help and he did eventually but now he's back in protective mode!"

"Alice calm down for your wee laddie." Mrs Elliott said. "I'm gonna see my granddaughter and grandson. You go and spend some time with your husband. Not as parents but as a couple. As Danny and Alice. I'm betting you don't do that much anymore."

Alice nodded. "Thanks mum."

They walked into the house and Alice went in the direction of hers and Danny's bedroom. Danny was sat up in the bed with only shorts on.

"I thought you were going to sleep!" she said.

"I can't. what if he tries something?"

"It'll be fine. If you don't sleep soon your going to keel over."

He shook his head. "No chance. Just give me plenty of caffeine!"

"Ooo a caffeine junkie. Who have I married?" she joked.

"A man who loves you more than anything!" he said seriously,

"I know." she replied softly.

She walked over to the bed. "Lie down Danny."

He did, she lay beside him. Snuggled into his back.

"No way honey." he turned to face her. "We lay like this last night, little man kicked my back to bits. Not that I was bothered. It was amazing. It felt so weird but I found myself waiting for the next one." he smiled at her.

She smiled back. "Welcome to my world. Kicked to bits but loving it!"

She turned over and he put his arm around her waist. It was quiet in the room.

"She will be fine won't she?" he whispered softly.

It was the first time he admitted his fears.

"No doubt Danny. she got her fighting attitude from you."

He shook his head. "We both know that's not true."

She rubbed her hand on top of his.

Danny began to feel the cover of sleep descend over him.

"Danny." Alice asked.

"Mmm hmm."

"I love you, you know. I just felt like I haven't said it in a while and I want you to know"

"I love you too honey. Always will." his voice was slightly slurred. Like he was half asleep. He caressed her cheek with the back of his hand and buried her face in her hair.

"Danny."

"Mmm."

"I want another DNA test. I thinks she's yours. She looks and acts like you. She's got to be yours!"

She heard his slow deep breathing. Story of their relationship. She turned over so she was facing him. He opened one eye sleepily. "It's a nice thought honey but we know the truth. Doesn't matter to me she's our daughter and you're my wife. And I love you all of you so much. My woman, my little girl and my 2 boys" he kissed her softly and closed his eyes.

Awwww Danny! She thought she hugged him, rested her head against his chest. His skin was warm even though he had no covers on. She lay and listened to his heartbeat. It seemed to soothe Dee Jay too coz he was still and quiet. She lay with Danny for 20 minutes and felt a plan formulate in her head. When she was sure he was completely out she got up. Danny rolled onto his stomach when she moved then settled. He looked better in sleep. She kissed him.

"It's my turn to protect you." she murmured.

She went in search of Lexi.

A/N shud they b trustin josh? hope ur enjoying :)