Hello! I hope this chapter is worth reading, *smirks* Oh, and happy New Year's Eve!

The thick and heavy silence was enough to speak about everything today. In my very core, today was about to change our lives permanently. Normally, I'd probably flee from fear…but, I am not in that urge at all. It was far beyond different anyone could imagine. Instead of a typical church setting, it was like a social gathering. Everyone stood in front like a concert, yet, their eyes glued between the doors and myself. The setting of this place was the calmer view of the ghost zone. The floor was pitch-black, but no one had mattered that much. The dome here was like a green fog in a positive atmosphere. This place was welcoming nonetheless.

The music started and it was softly humming and soothing to my ears and others' as well. Clockwork wore his best robe in fine purple, his hood was down on his shoulders (seeing they're larger than average), and his white hair exposed passed his shoulders. It had truly suited him well for his look, but I do get curious about him having human legs and never saw that. It was always that tail and I guess he preferred that.

The clicking on the doors alerted everyone, including baby Dan. As much as I don't care for the kid, I was force to allow him here by Jazz and Vlad. My mind shook that off and concentrated the incoming mate through that door. His hair was in a French braid and suited him nicely. His dark silver double-breasted suit with a white formal shirt underneath favoured the rounded stomach of his; as well as the black cummerbund bonded it neatly. However, the back of his double-breasted suit trailed down into a back-end cape reaching the floor while gray has gradient itself over to black at the back, but the inside of the cape was dark red to compliment the suit well. The dress pants made it a perfect fit along with that fine and shiny pair of high leather shoes in black.

His hands rest on his large bump and his fluttering nervousness was easily to tell me what he was feeling. My eyes focused on him heading my way and I felt the need to understand why he felt nervous. He has been so happy to look forward for us, but perhaps it was the public that could be causing him act like this. His blue sapphire eyes glanced up at me and I mouthed him, "Beautiful."

Vlad smiled at me and stood next to me finally. In most bonds, we were supposed to say each other's name, but we replaced it with holding hands for the starting ceremonial's importance. Clockwork exchanged glances between us before taking in place of his powers. Everyone was remaining silent to witness something very rare, even Skulker and Ember decided to apart from their usual revenge on me. That and decided to wait until after I'd give birth.

"Today, we are-" A cough interrupted Clockwork.

The Master of Times looked right at Vlad and I followed the same. Vlad knew he shouldn't be interrupting unless it was urgent. He didn't feel in such worried, but that nervousness was strong. His thumbs soothed my hands and my attention immediately focused on him alone.

"Daniel…may we get married instead of bonding?" Vlad asked.

In the corner of my eyes, everyone was gasping, turning their head to each other, and whispered among under their breath to understand what was going on here. The ghosts here were not too pleased to see such ill-behaviour, but I saw nothing wrong to ask. Their eyes were glued on me and waited with their last breath to my answers.

Vlad was too curious, yet, I was not answering right away. He doubted and now I knew why he asked me. For months now, I pretended to be his lover and he was truly seeing that. My hands squeezed his hands tightly and looked straight at him without a doubt.

"Of course, Vlad. I want to be sure if this is what you really want?" I smiled.

His eyes turned to the guests, his concern feeling grew strongly and it was not direct to me, and I understood. My hands lifted up above my head and formed an ice dome. The outside sounds vanished and this comforted my mate. No one should be able to see anything in this for a while, so it was safe for our privacy – maybe not Clockwork, but that man never says anything to anyone.

"Daniel…" Vlad shook his head, "I feel that you did not answer immediately, thus, you do not love me as much to do this."

My hands pulled him closely, "Vlad, I do love you. You simply took me by surprise when you asked and I'm glad you did."

He smiled, "You do?"

"Have I ever lead you wrong, Vlad? That I don't love you as much as I love our daughter and son?" My hands placed onto his shoulders and stared right into his eyes.

His lips curled down, "Yes. When you look at Dan, hating him so much, and you could not even stand being in the room with him." My mate shook his head, "It was the same look you used to have against me from the first day to…well, the time you found out I am pregnant."

I sighed, "I have issue with another timeline and it is not what it seems. I know he's slightly part you, but he's part of me too. A part of me that overruled your ghost half, it is still me. That me part had suffer to the point of worse than betrayal. Dan…I know he's different than I have met and I'm having trouble letting it go." Vlad met my eyes, "But he's nothing like you. You know where the fine line is, you…deserve the best love and I want to give you all of that. The other universe Vlad lost everything. He still existed, but he was nowhere as that evil as where the humanity is lost. You have your humanity and what changed it is seeing you pregnant with my daughter. That day made realize when I made love with you, how gentle and loving you truly are." I smiled proudly, "Vlad, I don't want anyone else, despite of my options to get more mates, but I don't see it."

He believed me and I was for once glad! He almost cried and he managed to hold himself together. He was happy for once and nothing could change that. If Vlad wants to get married, so it would be. I wanted to keep him happy at all costs. He was beyond happy to hear it from me alone, even though I kept my honesty through and through, and he believed in me. He was breathing finally and it gave me peace. Somehow, a part of me felt content with what I had said.

"Thank you, Daniel." He was practically glowing.

I kissed his forehead, "You're welcome. Now, let's get married." I declared.

His head nodded and I dissolved the dome. The familiar chatting and muttering has caught our attention, but it was slowly dying as they noticed we were not shut out anymore. Clockwork smiled at me, knowing what had happen, and I saw Karian running around the room like crazy to be sure everything would be set.

The master of all time lifted his chin and connected with our guests. They all waited to their dying breath to understand what was going on. I knew I was twenty-three, so I had a year left until then.

"Today, we are to wed these couples today. The bond has no longer held a meaning to their lives." He lifted his staff high, "Within the time, these two will forever in touch and partner to trust. They shall rule the Ghost Zone in all might and raise their family with power." His staff transformed into a scythe as he swished it over to his left side, "Let us tie and bind them forevermore and no less of their true love!" Both of his hands held the scythe and lifted them up high, "Daniel Jackson Fenton, High Prince Phantom is to wed to Vladimir Alexander Masters, Mate of Prince Phantom, Prince Plasmius! They are now united by the power invested within my power!" His scythe pounded on the floor as it waved out the glow of its power throughout the entire room.

Vlad and I were feeling its power. The sensation felt overwhelming within me and the need to release it over to Vlad. He, had too, felt the same and followed the similar example. At our palms, formed red and green energy respectively. It slowly surrounded us and we awed at such beautiful sight. The energy was phasing in and out the brightness of its blended with each other and it turned into a pale orange color. We felt something of it unique and how we truly follow it willingly. The orange energy changed and spun around us naturally in a tornado speed without the wind rush feeling.

"I now announce these hybrids are officially wedded!" The orange energy burst upwards into a powdery shower, falling like snow around us.

We smiled at the beautiful sight today and I was already aiming to kiss Vlad to show him that he had meant to me so much more. Our lips pressed together and that same feeling exists no matter what. I managed to adapt to this and chose not to question it. The cheering and clapping for our wedding day has certainly made everyone happy. Clockwork smiled as he watched us kiss passionately.

Vlad was completely happy and he couldn't refuse to smile for our special day. To witness something like this, it was worth it.

"I love you, Vlad." I told him, out in public.

His head rested against my forehead, "I love you too, Daniel."

As much as I hated to pretend, but this was the best. Maybe…just maybe…I truly do have a feeling for him. I was not too sure yet, but I wanted to be sure later tonight. Right now, we still have one more thing to do before our wed power was finalize. I leaned by his ear and smiled.

"Now, we step apart and hold up our right hand with our core's power. We will shake hands and say , 'I wed thee power' and release the power in our one handshake." I whispered to him.

I could tell he was excited to do so. He was glad I'd help him out to know what to do because it was far different than the typical bond ceremonial. We would have to go through four types in a day and honestly, those would not be easy to deal with. A wedding ceremonial was completely different and much shorter because this would be based on love. Most ghosts would choose this, but at least they have better timing than I do. Oh well, it hadn't mattered since Vlad the only one I'd be willing to marry – arranged or spot on love or accidental claiming mate. He's better than some random women or men to be a human, better than having to do it several times, and felt entirely free. He won't die because we are hybrids. We live the same length as ordinary ghosts.

Vlad and I step apart at least a few feet apart. Vlad was like a mirror mimicking me, our core's power at our right hand, and I was seeing his Pyrokinesis power. Vlad was seeing my Cryokinesis power and he seemed to be into this. Our hands came down to hold each other firmly. Our power developed its water core in one.

"I wed thee power." Our voice had spoken and our power released against each other as we shook in hands.

We felt the strength of its connectedness and vividly alive in our ghost half. There was nothing to compare to what we hadn't felt in ages. A change of our reminder to our human side almost as a whole. It had truly made its point and nothing to change that.

"I secondly announce their power is now wedded!" Clockwork raised his scythe and waved it over to his left side.

Everyone stood up and clapped to our official status. I was almost a king, but still a prince. In all and all, Vlad and I are now a newly wedded couple. It was nice for a change. Our power vanished itself and we no longer have to stay like this. I pulled Vlad closer, our baby bumps against each other, and kissed him to celebrate one more time. Everyone was cheering for the kiss and nothing could truly ruin our day.

Vlad ended the kiss and his sapphire eyes were reading into mine, "For so long, it is nice to be one of the people to be married."

I cupped his hands in mine, "Couldn't agree more, Vlad. Come on, I think we need to head over to the wedding couple table to allow others to make a toast." I softly pulled him the way.

Vlad glowed lovely as ever. We hadn't expected to be literally married, but Vlad made the right choice. He knew I would not deny such happy opportunity to come across with and it was going to change our lives.

Karian was running around, taking care of the food and desserts – at least she was not pestering between Vlad and me anymore. Almost everyone came up to us, congratulating us of our marriage (and applaud to Vlad's encouragement to change it), and talking about the beautiful setting here. Some of the people like my family and friends I knew for so long, sat at the table with us and letting others (ghosts, really) have their moment to enjoy as well.

Clockwork waved his scythe and walked out with his portal. I suspected that he could not stay too long due to his power or someone would be attempting to abuse his'. Not that he'd let that happen, but who knows.

Everyone finally sat down and Karian was having the ghost chefs laying the food in front of each of us. One thing had changed and it was being able to stand onion and tuna once more the pregnant men here. Everyone chatted among themselves, enjoying the wonderful times, and devouring food. Vlad and I were able to relax a bit and exchanged smiles to giggles for our day.

I took a bite out of my tuna casserole and felt a tug on my robe. I blinked and turned to see who. It was…him. I swallowed and bite my tongue from making an angry look for him. Vlad placed his hand onto mine and soothed me. It hadn't been easy to deal with Dan, even if he's a baby, and I was force to see him once a week. It was Jazz's idea and Vlad insisted the plan of hers. He knew I still had complication of my own, he asked numerous of questions multiple of times, and I did not budge to reveal that side of the story. Vlad was not a fool and he refused to give up until he was capable to help me move on.

"Yes?" I was not pleased to be talking to him; yet, I did not have a choice.

He looked at me with those Spanish blue eyes, "Mama say yowuh knowh wherez we are. Tell me pwleaze?"

My hand curled and my husband squeezed my hand for support. It was not simple for me to talk to him naturally like others. His face was a childlike and I was seeing a flickering memory of the Dark Dan I knew. My core was beaming so hard, I could almost destroy him in one second.

"You…uh…um…" I gulped, "Know the castle…I own right?" The evil side appeared in my mind, seeing him laughing at me so inhumanity. He nodded, "We are right across from there."

Dan smiled, "What iz thiz place?"

I could almost hear his voice…taunting and mocking the intense and immoral side of him, "It's ceremonial place. Excuse me…" I immediately rushed out of my seat and aimed for the familiar door.

I opened the door and went into the changing room I was in here about couple of hours ago. My knees hasn't hold its strength and nearly caused me to trip over. My hands managed to grab onto a makeup desk and mirror for support.

"You cannot kill me. I am impossible to obliterate, Danny. You will become a part of me. You will kill for the joy of blood and more." He grimily smiled.

"No. I won't ever become you!" I sneered.

He picked up some human, I could not see their face, and he was using his ecto energy and it was dissolving their skin and flesh like wood to fire. The innocent human screamed for their dear life. My eyes felt the urge to pop out and at the same time, so desperate to close them. Everything was ripping me apart, turned my stomach and twisted it, and destroyed the first reality of mine. Dan continued dissolving this living being, chuckling as if it was a mere toy, and his eyes purely indulged with such power and blood at once. He was beyond amused to his action.

"Stop hurting them, you bastard!" I demanded.

His red eyes glowed brightly, "An invitation to defile this one." His ecto energy changed immediately from green to black, causing a quicker and severely painful for the victim within ten seconds.

"NO!" I tried to hassle my way out of this damn ecto rope and nothing had worked, I tried to fight it, and urging to hurry up and save them somehow!

By the time I witnessed such ugly death by him; life had nearly drained me, and could not comprehend why he was like this. His devil smile was not a sight for me.

"Ah, right. I did not share my toy with you. Let me get another one and you can watch them react in a way you do not imagine-

Something on my shoulder had clicked me out of the flashback and I blinked. I gasped and felt breathing again. My head turned and saw Vlad, he was worried, and I did not once blame him.

"Daniel, it was just Dan." He said.

My head shook, "No…I…It's…I'm not comfortable with this. I mean, every time I see Dan and his face, it brings in the memories and it's getting worse."

He was worried and his hand soothed my forehead, "You're sweating as well. But you are right, it is getting worse and you need to stop bottling this, Daniel. It will not bold well for our son or you."

Vlad was right, but it was not something…so typical, as one would imagine. It truly twisted my stomach to even think or talk about this.

The next chapter will appear on New Year's Day~

A ghost for Thermos?