Warning: Another time lapse. These next few chapters are going to jump around a lot. This chapter sticks to the same period of time, though, after it jumps.

Disclaimer: I do not own Danny Phantom.

Chapter 16: Prepare

It didn't happen overnight. The ghosts that did escape were dealt with easily enough. My hunters knew that our services were available to them anytime and they took extreme caution. The human members of Team Phantom were the most vulnerable but that didn't mean we halfas were living on easy street. There were a lot of opportunities for one of us to meet our end and I looked out for everyone on my team, regardless of DNA backgrounds.

Sam and I began training the kids the next day. With Doc, we began with self-defense like with Sammy and Pammy. We explained to Doc that eventually we would get the offense. Of course he found it unfair, but we have to take care of him first. I tried to explain to my son that it wasn't because he was weak that I was doing this, but because Lilly and Megan were advanced.

With Lilly and Megan, we focused on offense but that didn't mean that we neglected defense. The girls have refreshment courses on defense throughout the week with their younger siblings. Not only did we teach the kids how to escape, we also taught them when to escape. I wanted to drill in my children that sometimes it's more dangerous to flee than it is to stand and fight. With my children in the Amity Park school system, I wanted someone to be able to not only defend and protect themselves, but to protect others.

We spent a lot of time and resources on either bussing people out or preparing them for survival. We offered them a way out; if they didn't want to deal with this day in and day out, they didn't have to. The shelters were set up and have been for the past couple years but now we had more entrances and higher security. The civilians were put at ease when members of my army were stationed on the streets as protection, marked by identifying badges. We brought agents into the school that had other purposes than teaching and we began training the students to deal with any attack.

Pammy was two years old when I decided that we needed a vacation. I knew Sam was supposed to get pregnant again this year and everyone had been working so hard. The last time we'd had any time away from home was when Doc was one. Then Sammy was born and we didn't take any time off. With the town handling the way things were going and the amount of security on the streets, I knew everything would be taken care of without Team Phantom here. I knew things would get worse and the opportunities for privacy would be disappearing before our eyes.

I knew the opposition would be fierce so I planned it by myself. I called the employees on the island and notified them of our arrival for the week of Valentine's Day. I gave my students plenty of time and alerted the kids' teachers that they'd be doing their work online that week. The school was still using the system we set up so school wouldn't be an issue. Convincing my family that we could even spend a day away from Amity Park would be considerably challenging, though.

Wednesday before we were to leave, after school I stopped by Dash and Paulina's house. They weren't even dating but everyone knew they'd end up together. Paulina had a daughter a few months after Pammy was born and Dash moved in to help her take care of the baby. No one knows who the father is and I'm not even really sure of the child's name. I deal with Dash all the time but I don't really associate with Paulina much anymore. I knocked on the door, the child answering. I stared in shock at the nearly two year old.

"Hi," I said, my eyes wide. If I remember right, she'll turn two next month. "Is Mommy or Daddy home?"

"Maybe," she said, shying behind the door. "Who you?"

"I'm Danny Fenton," I said, bending down to her level. "I work with your daddy."

"Okay," she giggled. She closed the door. I let out a surprised laugh. "Daddy," I heard her call.

"Yeah, Rosalita," Dash asked. My eyes widened.

"Danny here to see you," Rosalita replied. She's already born? It couldn't be true.

"Danny," Dash declared. "Did you answer the door, baby?"

"Uh huh," Rosalita replied.

"How many times do I have to tell you not to expose yourself, baby? Okay, I'm going to go talk to my friend. You go play, okay."

"Okay, Daddy."

A moment later, the door opened. "Danny, what a pleasant surprise?"

"Dash," I said, swallowing. "Who's is she?"

Panic crossed Dash's face. "Who is who?"

"Come on, Dash," I said, crossing my arms. "I saw Rosalita but I've known about her arrival for a while."

"You've dreamed of her," Dash said, putting his arm on the doorframe. "Fentoenail, I am so sorry. Paulina bragged to Star about it so I tried to stop her. I told her about you and Gothica and your children and told her that her plan would never work. That's why I moved in here with her. Rosalita deserved a father but you deserved to be spared the heartbreak."

"How," I asked, shaking my head. You'd think I'd remember having sex with her. But then again, I don't remember Doc either.

"Paulina told me a ghost approached her and asked her to take some sperm. He gave her all the tools necessary to extract it and she kept some for herself. She went to a fertility clinic and switched the samples. I didn't want you to know. You've had so much happen to you in this department."

"You should have told me," I said, hanging my head. "I have a responsibility to her! For crying out loud, she has powers! Who is going to teach her how to use her powers, to protect the halfa existence? I appreciate you stepping in and going out of your way for me, Dash, but just because Rosalita isn't ideal doesn't mean I don't have responsibilities."

Dash looked down. "I know. I'm starting to realize that I'm not enough. She's my daughter, though, Danny. If you do anything, it's going to be as a friend."

"I'd never take your daughter from you, Dash," I said, looking to my friend. "Trust me, I understand the power of love. She may not be your biological daughter but she's yours nonetheless. The only thing I'm saying is that she deserves to be surrounded by the kids and you guys need help. When they're young like this, the powers aren't that developed. Wait until she hits school age. Pammy is an angel right now. Sammy is quickly becoming a nightmare like her big brother and sisters."

"Awe, you know they aren't nightmares. They're sweet little angels." I barked a laugh, causing Dash to laugh with me. "So, you're here for some reason. What's up?"

"I'll get back to you after Valentine's," I replied. "But first, I'm risking life and limb. I'm taking my family on a vacation while we still can." He laughed, knowing I was walking a wire. "I knew you wouldn't leave Paulina and the baby," I gave a tight smile. For the past two years, I've only known of my biological daughter as 'the baby'. "I want you to be able to have some time off with the rest of us, so I wanted to drop this off. Sorry you can't join us for our vacation."

"You don't have to," Dash began.

I held my other hand up, "Stop. You deserve some time off and I want to. Pick someplace that would allow Rosalita to enjoy herself. There's no rush to go someplace. Make some reservations; there's plenty of money here."

"I know why you're doing this, Danny. Enjoy your time off. There's no point in doing this. We'll be fine by ourselves."

"I'm doing this because I'm giving my team members a vacation but I don't want Paulina to know my secret. I'd invite you to go with us but my children would feel tied down pretending not to have powers. This is the next best thing."

Dash released a sigh. "Fine. I know how stubborn you can be, Fentina, so I'll take this to make you happy. No more, though. This is pity money. Don't tell me it isn't."

"Just a little bit," I jokingly agreed. "Take some time off. Book a cruise, spend a week at Disneyland, go see the dolphins at Sea World, go to the islands; whatever. I'll give you the time you need."

"Thanks, boss," Dash said dryly.

I chuckled. "You've done a wonderful job, Dash. You deserve the time off." I produced a card with the phone number for the island on it. "Here. If you need to get a hold of me, this is where I'll be. If the person on the other line don't speak English, just say my name. They'll get a hold of me."

"How does your parents deal with that," Dash asked, cocking his head to the side. "Not everyone in your family can speak every spoken language in the universe."

"That's true," I smirked. "They deal with it. The workers know some English and they use us a lot." I smirked. "It's not all bad, though. My family isn't overly reliant on anyone."

"Isn't that the truth," Dash laughed. "Well, good luck with the missus."

"Thanks," I droned. "I'll need it!"

"Yes, you will," Dash smirked.

I started for my car but stopped abruptly. "And Dash," I said, turning around. He looked up, acknowledging me. "Thanks for looking out for me."

"I'm only sorry I couldn't stop her from violating you like that."

"There's some things you don't know about," I said, giving a tight smile. Dash doesn't know Lilly, Megan and Doc aren't Sam's. We told Star, Dash and Kwan that the children were mine and Sam's and she used her powers to hide the pregnancy. They think Sam, Tucker and Dani have been half ghost as long as I have and we haven't told them about Jazz. Don't really want to explain how we all became half ghost. Star knows about the show but she's the only one. It's been off for seven years and I couldn't be happier.

"I'm aware of that," Dash said, crossing his arms. They understand that there's some things that are just between family and as close as we are, among the others in my team, they'll never know everything.

"Bye, Dash," I waved. I continued walking to my car. I had another eight envelopes to deliver. Not everyone was going with us on our trip but everyone was getting two thousand dollars per person for a vacation. Team Phantom was now a Class C ghost hunting group. With my children joining and everyone's spouses, we passed the limitation shortly after Doc was born. Then I had Dash, Star, Kwan, some of my campers and our future family joining. There was no way we were going to stay below the limit of fourteen.

I picked the kids up from school after I delivered all the envelopes, keeping my little secret. "Hey, Uncle Danny," Jacky declared as he hopped in the back of my vehicle. This was the only vehicle short of a bus that could pick up everyone. I bought a SUV personally last year when Sammy began preschool but I knew all the kids wouldn't fit. Knowing my parents as the geniuses they are, I asked them for a solution. They gutted the back seat, put in a row of seats that look like a C, the opening where the door is and put in a place for the kids to put their belongings in the middle. The car used to fit seven, now it seats twelve in the C seats and three in the flip seats.

"What's up, little man," I asked as Jacky climbed in. Jamie and Joey jumped in the vehicle, too. "How was school, boys?"

"It was all right," Joey replied. His rusty brown hair was sticking up with the help of some hair gel and he wore a heavy jacket. Jacky and Jamie wore cargos, Jamie in a long sleeved t-shirt while Jacky only wore a vest.

Jacky, Jamie and Joey sat down, buckling up. Lilly was the next one in the car. "Hey, Daddy."

"Hey, Lilly Bear. How was school?"

"It was great," Lilly smiled at me. She sat down away from the boys, pulling out a book. It took forever for Megan to come to the car. She's a social butterfly.

The only ones we were waiting for was Megan and Doc. I began to get nervous but I didn't want to freak. I'm sure he's fine. He's probably talking with some friends. He knows how long it takes Megan to get to the car; he's in no big hurry. I couldn't take anymore, though, and turned to the boys. "When was the last time either one of you guys saw Doc?"

"Lunch," Joey answered me. "We don't have any of the last classes with him."

"Thanks," I said, distracted. I sent my mind out, sensing for my two remaining children. Megan was surrounded by humans so I knew what she was doing. I found Doc finally and relief flooded me. The energy he was with, though, was stronger than an average kindergartener. That panicked me. "Uh, kids, I'm leaving the engine running. I'll be right back." I looked to Lilly. "You're in charge."

"Okay, Dad," Lilly replied. I unbuckled, leaving the car in the parking lot. I walked up to Megan but she rolled her eyes.

"I'm coming, Dad," Megan retorted.

"Megan, I'm going to find your brother." I glanced at her friends. "When I come back, be ready to go. I have to pick up Sammy, remember."

"Yes, Daddy," Megan replied. I knew she was worried, too. I started for the location Doc was. Who was he with? They weren't his friends, I know that much… but they aren't ghosts either. I knocked on the door and a teacher opened it.

"Dad," Doc asked, his eyes widening. "What are you doing here?"

"Are you okay, son," I asked. I tried not to show my nervousness but I couldn't exactly hide it either. I looked to the teacher and saw two more with her. "Is something wrong?"

"Daniel just got out of breath, Mr. Fenton. He got overheated in gym class."

I nodded. "Did you take your inhaler," I asked. I could tell it was embarrassing him, because he looked away from me. "Doc, it's okay. I'm not going to freak, all right. I just want to know if you're all right now."

"I'm fine, Dad. Tom was being a jerk and I let him get the best of me," Doc said, crossing his arms.

"I've got him," I said, looking to the three adults. "Thanks for looking after him."

"It's no problem, Mr. Fenton," one of the adults replied. I wanted to pick up his bag but I forced myself to ignore it. I had to make him fight his own battles. One day, he'll be tired but this time, instead of a human bully, there's going to be a Forbidden Zone ghost there. Doc needs to learn how to push himself but keep going.

Doc picked up his bag and we walked out of the classroom. When we were alone, he held his head down. "I'm sorry, Dad. I keep screwing up."

"Hey," I said, putting my hand behind his back. "We learn from screw ups. We are obligated to screw up. I've done it, you've done it, I'll do it again, you'll do it again. It's the only way we learn, Doc."

"I wanted to prove to him I was strong," Doc said, his head still down. "Tom mocked me, saying my sisters could beat me up. I thought if I finished the run first, I could prove myself."

"Your mother and I have told you countless times, Doc, it's not about winning or finishing first. We're not going to win this war by being the fastest or being the strongest. We're going to win it by being the smartest. Now, I know Lilith and Gale can fly circles around you but my Rook is going to play a vital part in this game."

I saw a smile tug to his lips. "Thanks, Dad."

"I thought like you did when I was younger, Doc. I thought it was about being stronger and faster. It's not. Someone told me not to neglect my brain because it was the most valuable muscle I had. I wish I had listened to him sooner. It took you to make me realize that if I didn't think smarter, nothing would matter."

Doc came in close and hugged me as we walked the vacant halls. I wrapped my arm around his shoulder. "I love you, Dad."

"I love you too, slugger."

We entered into the hall where Megan last was and she was still chatting it up with her friends. I coughed, causing Doc to snicker. "What," Megan whined. "I'm talking, Daddy."

"And Sammy is waiting," I replied.

"Well, I've got to go," Megan sighed. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay. Call us!"

"I will. Bye." Megan walked up beside her brother and I. "Happy?"

She is too much like her father. "Yeah. Let's go." I led the kids to the car, opening the door. Megan and Doc climbed inside, Megan sliding the door closed. Doc sat down with his cousins while Megan sat down beside Lilly. After Doc and Megan buckled up, I put the car in drive and headed towards Sammy's preschool.

Sammy planted a seed in a Styrofoam cup and I was carrying it back to the car. "When will it grow, Daddy?"

"In a few weeks, butterfly," I answered. I opened the door, picking her up. I put her in her booster beside Megan and secured her. Sammy wanted the cup back so I handed it back to her. "Be careful, Sammy. If you spill the dirt, you'll lose the seed."

"I'll be careful, Daddy," Sammy declared.

"Good," I smiled. I slid the door shut, climbing in the front seat. I buckled up. "Sammy."

"Yes, Daddy."

"Were you a good girl," I asked.

"I was great, Daddy," Sammy said, her child voice hyper. She's had chocolate.

"You kept your powers off, right. You didn't turn off the bracelet."

"No, Daddy. I didn't use any powers!"

"Good, girl," I smiled. I put the car in drive and took the boys home. After I dropped off my three nephews, I took my brood home. "Hey, sweetheart."

"Hey, baby," Sam kissed me back. "How was school?"

"I had more kids surfing the internet than doing science," I frowned. "Slow day."

"Aw," Sam smiled. "Don't worry. At least they didn't go to sleep."'

"That's true," I smiled. "It was only ten minutes, though. I thought I could hold their attention that long."

"Well, they're still adjusting to going back to school," Sam said, stroking my cheekbone. "Spring break is too far away."

I smirked, knowing she had no idea what I was planning. I left the living room, allowing Sam to greet our kids. "Dada," Pammy declared, running for me. She jumped in my arms and I caught her mid-air. "You home!"

"Hey there, wiggly worm," I said, balancing her on my hip. "You want to go grade some papers with Daddy?"

"Yeah," Pammy declared.

"Dinner is in forty minutes," Sam alerted us. "Megan, I want you off the phone in thirty minutes."

"Awe, Mom," Megan complained.

"Listen to your mother," I replied as I carried Pammy and my briefcase upstairs.

"Any homework, kids," Sam asked. I couldn't see their reply, but I knew the answer from Sam's response. "That first."

"Mom," Megan complained.

"No phone until your homework is done," Sam replied.

"This sucks," Megan grumbled.

I smirked at Pammy. "Mommy's the boss, huh?"

"Nut uh," Pammy shook her head. "Daddy the king!"

"That may be so but I am still terrified by your mother when she gets angry," I answered. I put Pammy with the toys in my study. It was supposed to be a place where I could be alone but the kids complained about having nothing to do. When you can't beat them, join them.

I sat down at my desk, pulling out my microchip from my briefcase. I was one of the few teachers who still had paper products so I carried a briefcase with paper, pencils, pens, a sharpener and any papers I want to hand out. The paper never leaves the classroom, though; if I'm using paper, it's to be done in the ten minutes of class. I collect them before the first bell and they have to finish them before the final bell.

I inserted the chip, bringing up my computer from class. It's a lot easier to transport a microchip than a laptop so I have my computer at school and my computer at home. I have several backups so it makes it more practical than carrying a laptop, even if it is nearly indestructible.

After I graded the paper products, I picked up the phone and called Chicago. My father-in-law answered. "Hello," he said cheerily.

"Hey, Jeremy," I greeted.

"Danny," Jeremy declared happily. "How is my favorite son-in-law?"

"About to face the wrath of your daughter," I smirked. "Look, I was wanting to let you guys know I'm taking the family on vacation starting Friday. Pamela likes to come down for the holidays so I wanted to give you a heads up that we wouldn't be here Friday evening. I'm so sorry. It completely slipped my mind."

"Well," Jeremy sighed, "there's some bad weather up here through the weekend so we were accepting the fact we couldn't make it. Chicago is a lot nastier than Amity Park."

"No kidding," I frowned. "You could always…"

"No," Jeremy declared, his voice firm. "I did it once and that's it. I don't like that ghost place."

"Can't say I didn't offer," I joked.

"No, I can't say that," Jeremy agreed. "When the weather clears up and you guys get home, we'll get together. Let the kids know we love them and we'll see them after Valentines. Have fun, Danny."

"After Sam stops skinning me, I'll enjoy the time off," I smirked. "Be careful, Jeremy, and give my love to Pamela."

"I will," Jeremy replied. "Bye, Danny. Love you."

"Love you, too," I smiled. I never thought we could have a working relationship, much less a pleasant one. I hung up the phone. Don't get me wrong, though. We're not big chums. We still clash on a lot of things, mainly how many kids we have. Mrs. Manson wants Sam to go on the pill or tie her tubes. Sam, obviously, is against it. That always comes up when they come down.

"We going somewhere," Pammy asked.

"Yep," I smiled. "You're going on your first vacation."

"Yay," Pammy squealed. I smirked, signing into my account. Fifty of my students had already completed their assignments and I had another 27 who had yet to send it in. I sent the completed assignments through the checker but I'd go over them by hand after dinner. First, I needed to check my correspondence and send some out.

I have disclosed my email to everyone so even their parents can write to me. Believe me, I have received some angry letters before demanding to know why their kid was failing or why I gave their kid an F on this or that assignment. Because that's what they deserve. I don't treat one kid special because of titles or association. That doesn't go over well with some people.

I reminded my students who hadn't completed the assignments that it was due by the beginning of class and sent some emails to the parents of a few kids who wanted to disrupt class instead of work. Ten more assignments came in while I was doing that. Two of my completed assignments were tagged and I pulled them up. One was having trouble because I knew she wouldn't slack off like this but the other one was being cute. I added a note to the flag, sending it back to that student. If they did not correct the assignment, he'd have his pass suspended once I came back. The threat didn't hold much water but I'd make good on it after our time off. The second one, I tagged with a request to ask me any questions she had and try again. I gave her an extended deadline, to have it done by the end of school tomorrow.

I tied up some loose ends and picked up Pammy, taking her to get washed up. I formed ectoplasm on the basin at a height she could wash her hands and let her clean up. We sang a song so we'd know how much time we washed our hands. Finally, Pammy was ready for dinner.

I put Pammy in her high chair. "Go wash up, kids," I announced as I strapped Pammy in. I kissed Sam again. "That looks great, dear."

"Thanks," Sam smiled. "Let's see if you say that after you eat it."

"Oh, no," I groaned. Tofu. That always means tofu. "I talked to your dad," I changed the subject.

"Oh," Sam asked, cocking her head. "When?"

"Ten, fifteen minutes ago," I replied. "There's a storm in Chicago and they can't get out. They'll be by after the weather clears up."

"She's not going to pester me about it some more, is she," Sam groaned.

"Probably," I gave her a tight smile. "Don't pay her no mind. She doesn't understand, honey. You have to admit it looks weird. Two twenty-four year olds with five kids; she thinks we're spreading ourselves too thin."

"Still, it's none of her business," Sam said, drying her hands. "If we want to have thirty kids, that's our decision, not hers."

I wrapped my arms around Sam. "I know. She's just worried for you, honey. Just let it blow past you. We know why we're doing this. She doesn't have to understand it." I looked at the table. "Where's Ida?"

"She's not feeling well," Sam sighed. "I used my purifier and it's not helping." Sam let out a slow breath. Ida was getting sicker. We're worried she isn't going to make it through the winter.

I kissed her head. "It's okay, honey. We're going to make it through this."

"How do I go on without her, Danny? She's always been there for me."

"I know," I said, kissing her again. I rubbed her hair. "But we're not really losing her. Three of my grandparents are dead and one of them lives in the Real World."

"Granny says she's ready," Sam sniffled. I rubbed her hair out of her face. "How can she go without seeing D.J., Donnie or Jay? How can she say she's ready to leave us?"

"Sweetie, think of it from her perception. She hasn't seen your grandfather since you were seven. That's a long time to go without the love of your life. Imagine if you hadn't seen me in sixteen years. Wouldn't you be ready?"

"I guess one of us is going to be in that situation," Sam sighed.

"You've already been in it twice," I joked with her. She laughed through her tears.

"It's still going to hurt, Danny," Sam said. She released a shaky breath.

"Of course it's going to hurt. I know Grandpa will still be kicking around, with a brand new glow, but I'm not looking to shove him off a building anytime soon. We're selfish. We want to hold onto what's ours and not let anyone else take it from us."

"We better get the food out," Sam said, standing up. She wiped her eyes. "I don't want the kids to see me like this."

"I love you, sweetheart," I said, kissing her. I helped her set the table.

(04)

I brought the plate into Ida's room before we all sat down to eat. "Hey, Granny."

"Hey, Danny," Ida smiled at me. I pulled her bedside table to the bed and put her dinner on top.

"Sorry. It's tofu."

"That's all right," she said. She took my hand. "You'll take care of my Sammy, won't you?"

"Come on, Ida. You can do it yourself. You'll be around forever."

"I wouldn't belong here, Danny, and you know that," Ida said. "Look, I don't know about this 'everyone becomes a spirit' you and Sammy tout but I know if I do become a ghost, my place wouldn't be here. My God separated the realms for a reason."

"You also believe in fate," I said, sitting down on the edge of her bed. "If God didn't want the realms to be connected, do you think there'd be ghosts around now?" I still don't know about a god but I respect her beliefs.

"Maybe," she nodded. "But you have to admit it won't be safe. I've heard the two of you talking. This old bird isn't as dumb as she looks."

"Now, Ida, I never thought you were dumb… or a bird." She laughed. "No. It won't be safe. Any ghost in their way is taking their own existence in their own hands. But we have no idea what kind of ghost you'll be. If you're anything like Sam, you'll be strong."

"Sammy got that strength from you, Danny."

"We're still talking about Sam, right. The twenty-four year old?" She nodded. "That's my wife, you do realize. I couldn't do that."

"And why not," she asked. "Sammy allowed her parents to push her around before she met you. Sam used to think her place was at the feet of others. She met you and she knew she had two feet for a reason and it wasn't to bend her knees. Sammy is strong because of you, Danny. Why do you think Pamela and Jeremy didn't like your parents?"

"Because we aren't normal," I replied, shaking my head.

"You don't fit their bill of normal and that is part of the problem but it's mostly because you reversed what they spent years drilling into her. They didn't want her to be independent. They wanted a perfect daughter, not an independent woman."

"Pam and Jeremy aren't so bad," I smirked.

"Not anymore," she nodded. "Sam set them straight. It took her putting her foot down for them to realize this was the way it was going to be. You didn't see them after Jonah left. They lost control and they didn't like that. Jeremy could have stood by Sam on this but he was too busy trying to be the perfect couple. When you called Jeremy, they realized this was the only chance they had to get their daughter back. They would have never allowed you in the family had you not called. They wouldn't have been in Sam's life to have it count but you became approved literally overnight."

"I don't care how it happened, Ida. They are there for the kids, they support Sam and I'm more liked than gum on the bottom of their shoe; what more can I ask for?"

"I'd say they like your parents more than gum on the bottom of their shoe," Ida smirked. "You, you're more liked than a delayed flight. A nuisance, but tolerable."

"Okay. I'll accept that," I smirked. "So, did Sam heal you or just use the purifier?"

"She used both. I had pneumonia but she tried to find out what caused the pneumonia. As I said, you can't heal old age."

"Well, rest up. You're going to need your strength. You have grandbabies to spoil."

"Yes, I do," she smiled. I stood up, kissing her on the cheek. She touched my cheek, kissing me back. "Thanks for the chat, son." I knew she used the Hebrew word but my mind translated it.

"No problem, Mother," I said, using my Hebrew to return it. She smiled as I left her room. When we get on the island, she'll feel better. I'll just have to make sure she stays cool. The island rarely gets hot anyway except where Mom and Dad modified it for the beach. I still remember Mom and Dad's reaction when Sam, the kids and I arrived after our wedding. Mom was furious that Vlad had this place just to 'hold me prisoner'. She didn't believe Vlad used the island before he met me.

I sat down with my family and we ate dinner. We ended up ordering pizza and not telling mommy.

(04)

Pammy was up all night with an ear infection but by morning, she was healed. We didn't have the luxury with Doc or Sammy. When they got sick, we had to heal them. Sam was against the idea of healing them after every illness but I did it anyway. Lilly, Megan, and now Pammy don't have immunities so why should we neglect two of our children because they're different. Plus, if I didn't do it, someone would. A night of illness is sometimes too much for the kids as it is. The first time Megan had a two-day cold, Lilly almost took her to the Ghost Zone.

I took the kids to school, picking up my nephews. Instead of waiting in the car, though, I went in to get them. I sent Joey out, chatting with Jazz. Joseph was still asleep but I knew she'd fill him in. I told her about the trip and she did object but she listened to reason. The thought of seeing the twins in the water sold her, though, and she said she'd start packing. We'd leave tomorrow after school. I did the same thing with Lester and Nathan, having them to tell Danielle to call me when she got off her shift. I'd already arranged it with the Division to have us off circulation duty starting tomorrow night.

I drove the kids to school, taking Sammy with me to class. I'd drop her off at preschool during my free time. It only took me ten minutes, three if I was flying, to drop her off. I try not to fly though because it gives her bad ideas. We learned with Lilly it's a bad idea for them to have powers in public at this age. I've used the Reality Gauntlet countless times to clean up an exposure. Lilly's been bracelet-free for two years now while Jacky, Jamie and Megan just lost theirs last year. The rest wear the bracelet, Doc and Joey on probation. If they use their powers, the bracelet turns on automatically. The only problem we have is once the bracelet is turned off, it stays off and Sammy learned where the off button was. She was the only kid that thought that way. So proud.

After school, I prepared to face my wife. When the kids darted in the room, the look Sam gave me said she already knew. I kissed her on the cheek but Sam used her plant control to string me up. "Hey, honey."

"A vacation," Sam demanded. The plants tightened their vines around my wrists and legs, securing me. "There are twenty ghosts attacking a night! Fifteen injuries are reported a week. And you want to take from that!" She was talking about Forbidden Zone statistics. There's more ghosts than twenty attacking a night and we have more injuries than fifteen a week but that's all we count. Anything else is small fry.

"I increased patrol," I defended. "Come on, Sam. It's the only chance we'll get to spend some time together and it's not like there will be no work. You know the workout room on the island. Come on, sweetheart."

"I would have liked to been told ahead of time," Sam said, putting her hands on her hips.

"So you could have time to talk me out of it. No way." She pulled the vines harder, causing me to go spread. "I mean, I love you honey."

She released the vines, allowing them to go back to growing at a regular rate. Why did I think having live plants in a house where a good Undergrowth lives was a good idea?

"We will spend time training this week," Sam said, dropping her hands to her side. "And next time you hide something behind my back, I'll hold you down with five vines." I gulped.

"Yes, ma'am," I said, walking away in big steps. Man, that is one scary woman when she's mad.

She was scary enough without powers. Now that she has powers of her own, she really is the woman who makes the devil say 'damn, she's up' when her feet hits the floor. But that's my wife!

"Hey, Dad," Megan asked.

"Yeah, Lady Bug," I asked.

"If I have Mom's hot core, does that mean I can control plants like her too?"

"I don't know, sweetie," I said. "Grandma Simmons has a hot core. You may develop fire, not generation."

"That'd be cool," Megan smiled. She kissed me on my cheek. "So we're going to your island. We haven't been there since I was a baby, right?"

"That's right. It was after your mother and I got married. We went around the world and then met the rest of our family on the island. You were so cute. You wore your hair in pigtails and I have a picture of you on the beach wearing nothing but a smile."

"Dad," Megan said, turning red. I do love embarrassing my children. It's finally my turn!

"You're the one who pulled the diaper off," I laughed. "You'll have to talk to your aunt about the picture, though. Jazz thought it was too cute."

"I'll have to get her back," Megan grumbled. "And destroy that picture."

"Never going to happen, little missy," I smirked. "That picture is in a safe place." All my pictures from the early years are. I miss when my babies were still babies. Sam and I never miss an opportunity to capture some memories on film now. That was the bad thing about having Lilly, Megan and Doc so close together. By the time we figured out that their memories wouldn't last a lifetime, it was too late to do anything about it. We didn't even learn it from Lilly. Lilly always acted as if she didn't know who Vlad was anyway. Megan, though, was a surprise. We didn't bring him up and maybe that's the problem. It hurt Megan to think about Vlad so we tried to protect her. Now, she's lost the only thing she had left: her memory.

Sam had work the next morning so we packed up that night. The kids were packing too but they didn't have a lot of summer clothing. Before I knew it, Lilly and Megan were crying out they were going to the mall and a transport service driver took them away. I scoffed, looking to Sam. "Since when do they send drivers to our kids without our permission?"

"Since when do you complain? They'd fly themselves if they couldn't get a driver. I like this a lot better. At least they'll have protection."

"True," I sighed. I have no control when it comes to pre-teens.

Sam and I continued to pack.

(04)

Finally, Friday showed up. Everyone was ready for this trip. I had went to the mall during my break instead of taking Sammy to school because she doesn't have school on Fridays and it's her and Pammy's time with Uncle Samuels. I was allowed to shop for me and Sam and I allowed a few treats for both of us. There were plenty of places for privacy on the island; there was only two places that were deemed unsuitable for private activity. The main swim area which is the largest beach on Halfa Island and the kiddy area next to the bathhouse. It was the shallow area and it was the safest place for the human babies to play. Anywhere else was open space, though, and Sam and I could frolic in privacy.

I picked up our luggage once it was shrunk to fit in the mint box and put it in my shirt. I was wearing cargo shorts even though the snow outside was beginning to stick. I was ready for some sun and so was Megan. She had on a coat over her sundress. She wasn't immune to the cold like Sam and I was. Sam wore pants and sleeveless shirt like always but she'd be changing once we got to the island. Lilly of course was in mourning. She loves the winter.

"Okay, Cujo, watch the place for us, boy," I said, scratching his ear. Cujo yapped happily. "And you know where we are if you need us or change your mind about coming." I had the security system installed but Cujo was the best defense we had besides the two half ghosts that usually lived here.

"Bye-bye, puppy," Pammy waved from Sam's arms.

"Love you, Cujo," Sammy waved. We've had him as a part of the family since we moved out of Fentonworks. He doesn't always stick around but this is his home.

"Let's go," Megan declared. "I want the sun, surf and water!"

"Can I please stay," Lilly moaned. "Kelly's Mom would let me stay with her!"

"No," I began. "Look, Lilly," I said, wrapping my arms around her shoulders. "This isn't only for the hot core group. We cold cores will have a treat, too. I promise."

"Okay, Dad," Lilly mumbled. I smirked.

"Let's go. Everyone should be at Fentonworks already."

"Trigger the rings, brood," Sam replied. I was holding Sammy while Sam was holding Pammy but the others would fly themselves.

"You stay in human form," I instructed Sammy. She's got her ghost form—she won't name it, though—but she's too young to be doing this on her own. She's only been doing this a year.

"But Dada," Sammy protested.

"Come on, Butterfly. You'll get your chance on the island." Sammy squealed in delight. "Of course, Sammy. You'll be having fun like the rest of us."

The five of us flew to Fentonworks. Star, Kwan, Connor and baby Anna were already there. They were Ags but they didn't have any advanced development. Star and Kwan's oldest son was just an average two year old while their youngest daughter was on par for a seven month old. They didn't have powers, they weren't advanced, there was nothing ghostly about them. The only thing special about them, besides normal specialties, was Star and Kwan was taken off the list along with Dash, Paulina, Jazz and Sam. I wasn't going to take Paulina's name off the list of affected students but Dash begged me. No one knows those six were affected except for those who remember the attack.

"Hey, Connor," I said, bending down. I put down Sammy and she ran over to Star who was holding Anna. "What's up, little man," I asked, giving him my pinky. Connor pulled on it, laughing. "He's as cute as always, Star."

"I had something to do with it," Kwan joked. I smacked his hand, giving him a man hug.

"Nah," I laughed. "You know the man has nothing to do with the kids unless they did something wrong."

"Kwan, deal with your son," Kwan nodded, tilting his head in the direction of Star.

"And that's my boy," I pointed out. We laughed.

"You're right. He's only mine when he does something wrong."

"And that's a lot, huh," I smirked.

"You have no idea. I'm terrified about this trip. He can't get into the lab, can he? Because he will seriously blow the place up."

"Mom and Dad can't even get into the lab," I added pointedly. "The only way I can get in is to phase through the ground and come up through the floor."

"I'm trying to find a way to get in there. The SOB even put a layer of ectoplasm between the layers so you can't even destroy it. I tried cutting a hole in the floor."

"Who are you talking about, Grandma," Lilly asked.

"A former friend of ours. We got the island from him. He vanished and we were the only family he had." I'd allow the lie because the truth might have them asking some questions I'm just not prepared to answer.

"What happened to him," Megan asked. "He didn't die, did he?"

"No," Dad answered. "He just dropped off the map. He was troubled and he wanted a new start. He's alive, just no one knows where he is."

"Oh," Megan said, nodding.

"Well, let's load up," I said, wanting to get off this subject. I never intended for them to forget about Vlad but now that it's done, I feel we can't take it back. Not until they're older at least. "Heads up, Dad," I declared, linking him under his arms and flying him through the house. I did it quickly to get it over with but Dad screamed bloody murder.

"Don't do that," Dad demanded. Sam, my kids, Jazz, Joseph, Joey, Teresa, Philip, Danielle, Jacky, Jamie, Lester, Nathan, Tucker and Valerie arrived.

"What's wrong, Grandpa," Doc asked. "It's just flight."

"Paw-paw," Sammy giggled.

"Funny," Pammy laughed with her.

The shoot delivered Mom, Star, Kwan, Connor, Anna, Ida, Brit, Mikey, Mom and Dad Numbers Two and Three. "Grandpa doesn't like flying." Philip started to cry, Jazz starting to bounce him. "Much like someone else."

"I'm with ya, buddy," Dad said, bending over.

"Where's my grandparents," I asked. The Simmons were coming, too.

"Mom and Dad said they'd meet us on the island. Rafe and Miranda haven't arrived yet."

"They're on their way," Tucker replied.

"Thanks," I nodded. I walked over to the control panel, deploying the anti-ghost shield. It allows the kids to use their powers on the ship but they can't phase out of the ship. Mom would not take Jacky and Jamie anywhere without insurance that they couldn't disappear mid-air. "Okay, you kids can use your powers but if you try to leave the ship, you won't be able to phase."

"No problem, Dad," Lilly replied. She hopped on the couch, pulling a book out of her back pocket. She curled up, her legs behind her, propping her arm with the book on the armrest.

"When do we arrive," Megan asked, taking her coat off. She hung it on a rack, sitting down in a chair and pulling her cell phone out.

"Four hours," Mom replied. "As soon as Rafe and Miranda get here, though, we can leave." Megan scoffed, putting her eyes on her smartphone. She began to text and I knew we lost her.

"Uh," Star said, looking around. "Isn't this the Fenton Blimp?"

"It's actually the Ops Center," I replied. "Right now, it's been converted into the Fenton Jet. The Ops Center transforms into a plane and a blimp. It's been updated in the last couple years."

"The trip during Danny and Sam's honeymoon was miserable," Mom replied. "Several hours to and four hours back in pilot seats. I decided we could create a living space for the jet so the lab equipment is boxed up and the space converts to this. This is a lot nicer now."

I sensed my grandmother right before she and Grandpa entered the jet. "Sorry I'm late. We're still on, right?"

"Oh, yeah," I said.

"Thank God," Megan replied, still texting.

"I want to see what Dad has in store for us that like cold temps," Lilly replied. I smiled.

"Well, let's get in the air," Mom replied. "Everyone, please have a seat." Mom walked over to my oldest daughter. "Feet on the floor and back straight." Mom swiped Lilly's legs off the couch, sitting her up straight. Everyone started to take a seat as Mom did the same thing to Megan. Megan got upset, though. "After we get in the air, you can do what you want." Sam, Star, Kwan, Jazz, Joseph and I buckled in the six youngest and took our seats. Dad went to the cockpit, detaching the Ops Center from the house and getting us in the air. He programmed Auto Jack and joined us, letting us know we could get up. The six of us released the youngsters and Teresa, Philip, Sammy, Connor, and Pammy went to play while Anna lay in the bassinet Mom set up.

(04)

"Oh, my God," Star declared as she stepped off the Fenton Jet. "You own this?"

"Not exactly," I replied. "It's unchartered. That friend Mom was talking about found it and used the technology he and my parents created to hide it. But yeah, it's mine."

"It's so beautiful," Star said, astonished.

"And huge," Kwan remarked. Vlad changed the island from the last time he brought me here. I thought he had only added the house. Turns out, Vlad had more planned than he ever told me. There's a large bathhouse, bigger than what his employees would need, a saw mill, working plumbing, a water mill, fields, green house, a barn, some kind of clinic and the house itself was larger than I imagined. What I did see of it was a small portion. I only phased outside, went through the ground and went into the lab. This is only the seventh time I've been to the island. I had more time to explore the sixth time.

"This is so awesome," Megan decreed. Vlad didn't have as many beaches as we have now but we agreed that if we spent any time down here, it'd be for the summertime feeling. We spent a day removing some of the rocks and bringing in sand. I still had the rocks I sat on for those two days, though. I couldn't bring myself to destroy them.

"Be careful and let someone know you're going out when you go. Have fun." I'd let them take care of their stuff later.

"Well," Lilly asked me, her hands on her hips. I laughed. "I don't like heat, Dad. You know that."

"I know," I smiled. "Come on." I lifted into the air, Lilly following me. In the northern portion of the island sat the cliffs and the knob. The Water tower and the water mill were back there, behind the barn. There wasn't much of a coast for swimming as most of it was tide hitting the rock wall and there were no fields in that area. "Okay, how about turning this into a winter wonderland? I'll change the air to freezing temperatures and I'll convert the ocean into your own private Antarctica. What do you think?"

"That would be awesome," Lilly declared. I had planned for this and brought some artic gear to store in the water mill. We never used the water mill but the presence of a water mill meant Vlad had plans to produce grain and other goods. It really makes me wonder what his plan was.

The first thing I did was create an ectoplasmic barrier between the shield and the island. There was plenty of space between the two so I only took a portion of the area. The halfa kids came to see what we were doing so I used them to chase the marine life away. Sam used her powers to remove any kelp or whatever from the area. Once we were free of living creatures, I shot a blast of ice at the ocean and everything from the ectoplasmic barrier to the island froze several feet thick. It wouldn't melt, not even in the hottest temps this region could produce.

Next, I accessed my cold core and began dropping the temperature in this area. I drew an invisible line and everything between that line and the new ice rink became colder. I lost Megan at that point as she went back to her heat. Megan stood just outside the imaginary line so I knew it was working. As the temperature reached freezing, snowflakes started to fall. I left the temperature at that degree and it continuously snowed.

"Daddy," Lilly declared, hugging me. "I love you! This is so awesome!"

"I did it for you but anyone can use it. I'll let you do with it what you want."

"It didn't hurt you, did it, Danny," Mom asked.

"No," I said, shaking my head. "It took a bit of power but I was preforming a big job. And it'll do this year round, too, because of the way ghost ice work. It's why the Far Frozen live where they do even though the Ghost Zone doesn't have seasons. I used to think the Far Frozen was on Earth because humans could touch it but it's just the way ghost ice is. Ice isn't spectral, per se. It's one of the strongest ghost powers. All core powers are."

"It's the same way I can heal others without overshadowing them," Sam replied. "My core is hot and heat can regenerate. I developed this power from my nature powers. Undergrowth could do the same thing if he wanted to. It's probably the reason he could regenerate himself."

"Personally, I think he could regenerate himself because all he cared about was plants. It wasn't himself he was regenerating, despite his claim. The ghost was inside those tangled vines; he was only summoning the vines to create that appearance. Sam could do the same thing but she prefers stringing up her victims."

"Yes, I do. You'd know all about that, wouldn't you honey," Sam smirked at me.

"Yes, I do," I nodded.

"Well, I don't have a hot or cold core but I can't stand this," Tucker said. "I'm going inside."

"Wait up," Valerie called. She linked her arm with Tucker's and they went towards the house.

"Don't stay out here too long, baby," I replied. I kissed Lilly's head and joined Sam. I slipped my hand behind her back, walking towards the house.

"Thanks, Daddy! I love it," Lilly called.

"You're welcome, Lilly Bear," I called back. Sam and I entered within sight of the house. The house was enormous. It looked like a mansion. It was four stories tall, the lab, unmarked beneath the ground, making it five. It was brick with these huge columns, four in total, marking the sides. Above the columns was a balcony. The entire structure was surrounded by paved walkways with beautiful native landscaping done. Sam and I walked along the walkway, seeing the front. The entrance was away from the new winter wonderland so it was quite a walk. I'm not sure how big this place is but I was terrified of losing the kids when we came here six years ago.

"Vlad never done anything small, did he," Sam joked with me.

"No. That man was obsessed with big. If I had known what this place looked like when he kidnapped me, I would have skinned him. I thought a mansion like his. No, this place looks more like a palace than a mansion."

"Actually, I think it looks more like a hospital. The rooms are even reminiscent of a live-in hospital."

"Whatever he modeled it after—or wanted from it—he went too big. No one needs a place like this. I mean, how many kids did he expect us to have?"

"Thousands," Sam answered. I looked to her but she was just looking back at me simply. "Think about it, Danny. What was his one goal? We have five kids because of this goal."

"He was going to use this to save the Halfa race," I asked. "How?"

"He had something planned," Sam shrugged. "You either talked him out of it, unknowingly, or he changed his mind. Considering this was here when you defeated Pariah, I'd say he changed his mind because he fell in love with you."

"He did plan on knocking me up two or three times a year with multiple kids," I said, shaking my head. "That man was crazy sometimes. Others, he was a genius."

"I think you were crazy too when you thought he was a genius," Sam said. She pushed me gently.

"Maybe," I joked. We arrived at the entrance. When we first arrived, it was a simple entrance with double doors. Now, it still had the double doors but it has a porch. The house faced the ocean so we created a wide flat porch. This was tropical weather so we installed a canopy over the porch and had several seats. A few of the employees were sitting on the porch when we arrived. Sam and I stepped on the porch and entered the house, exchanging greetings with the natives.

The entrance opened up to a wide foyer. Afternoon light shined in through a large stained glass, lighting up the area. Sam and I walked into the living area. It was very spacious, with dozens of couches, chairs, tables, televisions and bookshelves. The room split in two, one way going deeper in the house while the other way lead towards the stairwell. In all honesty, you couldn't reach the end of the house very easily in this location. If you headed to the stairway, you would reach the east end of the house in fifty yards. It was huge.

The other side was even further and we were only in the front part of the building. This house is enormous. I honestly couldn't imagine exploring everything in a day.

Sam pulled my polo towards her, forcing me to grind into her side. "Ghost boy?"

"Yeah, Ghost Girl," I asked with a smile.

"Let's get lost."

"Sounds good to me."

AN: One of my readers said the last chapter moved too fast for them. Anyone else have that feeling? I don't want to overload my readers so if it feels like it's going to fast, let me know.

Anyway, here's a shameless plug: check out my new story "Eternity". It's in Sam's POV about her and Danny's wedding. It's set in this same universe!

Thanks for reading. Please leave a review!

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