Here's the chapter I had promise! I hope to post one more on Saturday and another one on Sunday (I have off on those days, so I will be working on this one :) )
Beta'ed by Dragonian Master!
Things have changed. We're no longer archenemies and for once, I'm glad. We're at my parents' house for dinner and how we sitting down to eat because Sam ordered pizza. She made sure to keep the rest of the "could not stand to be around" for Vlad. Mom hasn't found out yet, so it was giving me some time to figure out a way to how this would turn out for everyone. Dad was eager, but he promised to keep Vlad's pregnancy unaware for his sake of knowledge.
"That was nice of Vlad to let you on his jet to come home." Mom commented.
I nodded, "Yeah, he's been doing me such great favors." I haven't told her what had happened, even the fire at the apartment and I knew it was five days ago it happened.
"I can see that. Are you both staying here for a few days?"
I hummed, "Yeah, I don't have to rush back for anything for a while." I nodded.
Mom smiled. It wasn't much of a conversation during dinner and there will be a lot after dinner, though. Vlad and I were finished with our slices and joined in the living room. Sam and Jazz joined us for their amusing expression. I glared at them to stop it, but they love it when they want mom to be included, but the baby secret as well. Tucker and Dani joined us finally and he was giving me an odd look of why I was sitting next to Vlad. Dani was glaring at Vlad, assuming a few things in her mind, and it wasn't easy for her to accept him. How I never missed the similarity of her and Sam. I had forgotten that they weren't included on the overall on my life.
Lastly, my parents were walking into the living room-
The doorbell rang and that confused us all. Sam went over to the door to answer and greeted whoever it was. Her head turned and she looked at my direction.
"Vlad, it's for you." She told him.
Vlad nodded and went over to the door to answer. He grinned happily and chuckled. Why was he happy about this person?
"Ah, I'd love to go out with you, Jacob. I apologize for not coming back in town anytime sooner and missed yesterday's date." Vlad told him.
An internal alarm rang loudly in my head and my eyes narrowed at the pregnant man. He was supposed to go on a date yesterday? That was no happening on my line and I got up as I crossed my arms. I growled at him without any control of myself.
"Vlad, go sit down on the couch. Now." I demanded.
Vlad flinched slightly. He does not understand the whole purpose of being my mate and loyalty. He did not argue or go against me by returning to his seat. His guest was a blond and a pair of brown eyes. To me, he's the enemy.
"I'm sorry, But Vlad isn't to be anyone's date. I'm afraid you'll have to find someone else." I slammed the door in his face.
I walked over and sat down next to Vlad. I was rather disappointed in him and he lowered his head. Honestly, did he think I was going to let him date people? Let him get away with this? Did he forget the marking was supposed to be for?
"What were you thinking?" I scoffed, "I can't believe you try to allow that to even happen!" My head shook.
He sighed, "I apologize, Daniel. I merely had forgotten about my situation."
"Danny! Stop treating Vlad like a child. He is a free man and he can date whoever he wants." Mom tried to interfere.
I froze and forgot about mom. Oh no…this could not be good. Great, I blame the guy who knew how to find Vlad interrupting my chance to tell her without having to explain this first! My head shook immediately and looked at her.
"Sorry, mom, but I can't."
"Yes you can, young man. Now, you let Vlad do what he wants to do and date that man as he pleases." Mom insisted, demanding I'm on my best behavior.
"I can't…literally." I sighed, "Vlad and I are mates for life." In a way to explain it, "Have you ever noticed how Phantom is always disappearing and-"
"-Oh, you're going to tell me you're him? You're confirming my theory?"
Mom was already into this. Damn, did I miss something? Dad perked up happily about it and watched this all happening.
"Uh," I blinked, "Yes."
She smiled, "My, that would make sense. Still…I don't understand what this mate has to do with anything. It's not like either of you are dating each other."
Does she have to make everything complicated?
"We were out one night on Friday and after a few drinks, we…have gotten sexual." Vlad picked up his head at my mom, "Since Daniel is the king of the ghost zone, his king side has claimed me as his mate. We both hadn't known until he was able to recall the night to confirm it."
Mom looked over to me, "Is this true?"
"Yes," At least I'm not lying anymore, "As a king of the Ghost Zone, once you claim someone to be yours, it's permanent unless a ghost defeats me to get the title. Unfortunately, it's impossible."
She nodded, "So…you have to treat Vlad this way?"
"Yes, to remind him that he belongs to me and no one else. I mean, the king part literally takes over me and I have no control. Personally, I'd rather let Vlad date the guy, but I can't."
Mom was rather surprised to learn my behavior today. I wanted this to come out entirely differently.
"So both of you are dating each other?" Dad asked.
Vlad shook his head, "No. We're simply friends to help each other on this."
Dad seemed disappointed, but he kept smiling anyway. Does dad really want Vlad and me to be together? I don't even see that happening! Mom and dad finally sat down. Dani and Tucker were shocked, but Dani shrugged it off in a matter of seconds. Yup, just like Sam.
"But, we do have news since everyone knows I'm Danny Phantom." My thumb pointed at Vlad, "Vlad would like to announce the news."
Vlad was happy and everyone looked over to him, "I'm pregnant and it is a girl." He announced.
Sam and Jazz were smiling, pleased to see everyone filled in. Dad gasped happily about being a grandfather now. Dani froze and stared at Vlad. She took a little while to understand and shrugged it off fine. She smiled along. Tucker…uh, he fainted. Mom hasn't expressed anything or moved at all.
"Vlad, I doubt you are pregnant." Mom commented.
Vlad frowned, "I have a baby bump, you know?"
Her head shook, "Vlad, it's natural for our body to gain weight at this age and it's okay to be fat."
The hurting came at me suddenly to alert me that Vlad was upset by her words. He was turning up teary on her and mom doesn't realize he had meant every word. I frowned at mom and hugged Vlad.
"Mom! He is! Vlad and I are Halfas, as in half ghost and half human. Ghosts are capable of being pregnant, regardless of gender." I explained.
She still didn't budge, "You're still human. The male body cannot function like a female's organs would do to reproduce."
Dad tapped my mom's shoulder, "Mads, you got to be an open mind about this. Just because they're half human, doesn't mean their ghost half can't provide the chances. I mean, it's the ghosts' normalcy happening."
Mom turned to him, confused completely, and I was sort have glad to have a conversation with dad about this when he visited for a week that time. Right now, the pregnant man was tearing and I hugged him closely to me. Then, I lifted him up to head upstairs to my old bedroom for some privacy. Vlad kept crying because of one insult mom has said to him and she doesn't believe it otherwise. I knew what to do since this was practically the fourth time.
"Vlad, she's in denial." I told him.
His head shook, "She called me fat…"
"That's because you're pregnant now and she's not seeing it yet. I mean, mom probably didn't even know for sure I'm Phantom up until now-"
"-What were you thinking mom!?" Jazz's voice rose.
"No offense, Mrs. Fenton, but that's crossing the line!" Sam added on.
"There is no way a man can carry a baby, let alone absolutely no room in his body." My mom defended herself on logic.
"But it's normal for their kind. Honestly, anything Danny and Vlad does, as what ghosts do is normal for them. Homosexual has been around quite a long time in the Ghost Zone and they're very accepting. Plus, they do reproduce in their male form." Jazz pointed out.
"Jazz is right, Mrs. Fenton," Tucker joined in, "We have spent a lot of time with ghosts ever since eight years ago in September. I have seen several male ghosts who are pregnant and have been pregnant. It's natural."
"Despite of the fact Vlad is still human as well." Mom tried to drag that in.
I came out while Vlad was still in my room, "So? Our ghost half takes care of that while we're human. Our body is easily adaptable. If it was a human male – absolutely no part ghost, then there may be conflicts and health problems. However, Vlad has been following the right pregnancy symptoms and behaviors, so I don't see why not he can be pregnant. After all, that is my daughter you're speaking of. Secondly, isn't there a rule where you can't call a pregnant person fat?"
"Yes and it makes them all emotional-" Mom froze and stared at me, "You mean to tell me he is? I will need proof first."
I crossed my arms, "Then apologize to him."
Here, I had never thought to demand my own mother to apologize! Seriously, am I in the right universal world?
"I will apologize to him after seeing proof." She insisted.
My eyes narrowed at her, "I already did an ultrasound on him and he's three months and five days pregnant. He is carrying my daughter and you know what? You need to apologize." I insisted instead.
Everyone, but Vlad, watched the debated argument between my mom and me. For years, I knew I was right about ghosts and she doesn't have a slightest clue about them as much. For so long, I wanted to prove her that I know more about ghosts than she will.
"Fine." She gave up finally and headed upstairs to my room.
I came into the room and Vlad hugged the pillow. He was still hurt, but he wasn't even listening at all. Mom entered into my old room – which is half empty, but I was glad most of the better memories were left behind here. Right now, mom is seeing Vlad holding himself together and she walked up to him.
"I apologize for not being open minded of your pregnancy, Vlad. Also, I apologize for trying to call you fat." She worded out.
Vlad looked up at her, "I apologize for holding out this secret of my hybrid being. Unfortunately, the damage is done."
"Wha-" She realized, "-all those times and I never thought you'd be a hybrid, Vlad. Why didn't you say something?" She whispered.
Vlad drew up his guard, "You couldn't imagine how scared I was. Afraid to look like a freak, after your hospital visit with Jack…I spent years to work on my half being and up until our reunion, Daniel has changed my life." He didn't dare to smile about it, "Almost eight years, I'm glad I'm having his daughter…despite of the fact we're not in love."
When he said that, I left the room knowing I can trust mom not to go far. I needed time to process my own guilt for Vlad. If he had known what I feel, what would he do by now? I felt so much trouble with myself and wasn't too sure how to reproach this matters.
Care to review?
Next chapter will be up on Saturday and Sunday. I promise you all that much - unless my coworkers decide to ask me to fill in for them or something, but I doubt it this week.